Despite lingering concerns about the outbreak of the new Omicron strain of Covid-19, Iconsiam Co, the operator of Iconsiam, still vows to continue adding myriad new attractions to lure shoppers to its complex next year.
Supoj Chaiwatsirikul, the company's managing director, said that although customer traffic at Iconsiam is yet to return to normal, purchasing power among the consumers who come to shop at Iconsiam is now almost back to pre-pandemic levels.
Moreover, there are long waiting lists of operators in new business categories who wish to open their stores at its complex including luxury goods, food and other attractions.
Mr Supoj said the occupancy rate at Iconsiam is expected to exceed 97% next year, adding that the occupancy rate at the shopping destination is still at 97%, up from 95% in 2020.
Currently, there are 60,000 visitors to Iconsiam on weekdays and 80,000 during weekends compared with 80,000 on weekdays and 100,000 during weekends, respectively, prior to the pandemic.
Mr Supoj expects customer traffic will see a full recovery in 2023.
In a related development, Mega HarborLand, an indoor playground on a space of 5,000 square metres, was officially opened yesterday on the sixth floor of Iconsiam, a move expected to help attract more shoppers to the complex.
According to Prakarn Nokhong, managing director of HarborLand Group, the new Mega HarborLand at Iconsiam is the group's 14th branch.
The firm plans to open 6 new HarborLand branches next year, including one at The Mall Tha Phra.
Apart from its own investment, the company is considering expanding via a joint venture scheme in some locations.
According to Mr Supoj, in addition to HarborLand, the firm plans to add two new attractions for kids at Iconsiam next year.
"We are less worried about the Omicron than the first Covid-19 outbreak in 2020. We are not panicking. If the situation of Omicron is more violent and serious next year, we are ready to apply existing protocols to cope with the outbreak," said Mr Supoj.
