Gulu gets another gong
PHUKET developer Gulu Lalvani picked up his second accolade in as many months when he was voted ‘Best Boating and Yachting Personality of the Year’ in the International Boating Awards at Boat India earlier this month.
The Hong Kong tycoon and founder of Thailand’s most exclusive luxury lifestyle yachting community, was honoured at a glittering award ceremony at Le Meridian Hotel in Cochin, India.
The awards ceremony coincided with the international boat show and conference and the Cochin stopover of the Volvo Ocean Race. Participants had an opportunity to meet the race crews and admire their yachts.
Mr Lalvani, who developed the up-market Royal Phuket Marina overlooking Phang Nga Bay, was last month named ‘Real Estate Personality of the Year’ at the annual Thailand Property Awards for making ‘a significant contribution to Thailand’s property industry’.
The Hong Kong and London based tycoon got his gong for transforming Phuket into a world class yachting destination, making it a magnet for celebrities and the rich and famous. Mr Lalvani recently retired from his company Binatone, which manufacturers digital cordless phones.
But instead of enjoying his retirement, he set about creating his vision, Thailand’s first world-class luxury lifestyle community. Royal Phuket Marina’s first phase of condos, apartments and penthouses was a sell-out success, and the venue is now a vibrant entertainment and lifestyle hub with open air restaurants and bars overlooking the moored mega yachts.
The marina also feature a 2500sqm International Exhibition Centre which is now Phuket’s largest single indoor event space. The centre will pave the way for a new era of large-scale conferences and expos. It is also an ideal venue for weddings and functions.
The development is continuing and there are plans in place for more villas and apartments, and a five-star boutique hotel. Mr Lalvani said he was keen to repeat the success of Royal Phuket Marina in India, in either Cochin or Mumbai.
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