Royal Phuket Marina developer Gulu Lalvani won 'Real Estate Personality of the Year' at the annual Thailand Property Awards at a glamorous event held last weekend.

By founding Thailand�s most exclusive luxury lifestyle yachting community, he was applauded for "turning Phuket into a world class yachting destination and a magnet for celebrities and the rich and famous�

The Hong Kong and London based tycoon embarked on the marina project on Phuket�s eastern seaboard overlooking scenic Phang Na Bay on retiring from his company Binatone, which he co-founded in 1958, the world�s second largest manufacturer of digital cordless phones.

Instead of enjoying his retirement on the idyllic island, Mr. Lalvani set about creating his vision - to construct Thailand�s first world-class luxury lifestyle community, rivaling top marina resorts in Europe and the Caribbean.

He also envisages Phuket becoming a world class yachting hub, in one of the world�s most stunning locations.

Royal Phuket Marina's first phase of condos, apartments and penthouses was a sell-out success.

The venue has also become a vibrant entertainment and lifestyle hub with open air restaurants and bars overlooking mega yachts moored in the Mediterranean-style marina. Facilities include the Island�s finest health club, flood lit tennis courts and French owned day spa.

The soon to be opened 2,500Sqm Waterfront International Exhibition Center at Royal Phuket Marina will be Phuket�s largest single indoor event space and will pave the way for a new era of large-scale conferences and expos as well as being the ideal venue for weddings and functions.

As development of villas and innovative apartments continue, along with plans for a 5-star boutique hotel, Mr. Lalvani was hailed at the awards on November 1 for "raising the profile of Thailand�s luxury real estate".

The 'Real Estate Personality of the Year' award is for individuals making "a significant contribution to Thailand�s property industry".

Mr. Lalvani was honoured as "an individual whose success in business is matched by their strength of character. Someone who mixes charm and sophistication, with a good measure of glamour and flamboyance. A relative newcomer to the industry, yet a person whose experience in business is beyond reproach."

Mr. Lalvani said he was committed to �promoting the island paradise of Phuket as one of the world�s premier tourist destinations, as well as somewhere to own a holiday or retirement home and live like a king at a fraction of the cost of Europe or the United States.�

"Phuket also has the potential to become a leading international venue for conventions and expos,� he added.

�We are continuing to contribute to the social and economic fabric of the Phuket community in every possible way we can.�

Visitors to Phuket exceeded a record five million in 2007, up 11.25 per cent from 2006.

The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) expects growth of another 20 per cent in 2008, as the number of flights to Phuket reaches 120 per day.

For more information about Royal Phuket Marina please visit www.royalphuketmarina.com

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