SET-listed Central Pattana (CPN) plans to open its Central Village, the country's first international luxury outlet, at Suvarnabhumi airport next August to cash in on the global trend of airport-led urban development.
"We have noticed the trend of the airport city or 'aerotropolis' around the world, where areas near airports have been supplemented with shopping venues, hotels, outlet malls, restaurants, entertainment and offices," said Wallaya Chirathivat, deputy chief executive of CPN.
This trend is accelerating in major cities around the world and we would like to develop the surroundings of Suvarnabhumi, one of the top 10 airports in the world with the highest volume of passenger traffic in Asia, she said.
Under the "Bangkok Outlet Experience" concept, the 5-billion-baht Central Village is designed to be a check-in point where tourists can drop by any time they are going to or from the airport.
Chart Chirathivat, executive vice-president of CPN, said Central Village is expected to attract 6 million visitors with high purchasing power per year, or an average of 17,000 visitors daily.
Half of the available 235 stores are expected to be leading global brands such as Polo Ralph Lauren, Kenzo, Vivienne Westwood, CK Jeans and Adidas.
Located on 100 rai with 40,000 square metres of leasable area, Central Village will take around 45 minutes to reach on the expressway or other main roads from Bangkok, he said.
"We expect Central Village will support Thailand to become a real shopping haven for both Thais and foreign visitors," Mr Chart said.