Phuket Tourism: Going Up or Going Down?

[Guest fountainhall]

As recently as late-August tourism chiefs were hailing the rebound in tourist numbers to Phuket.

 

Passenger traffic through Phuket International Airport surged 28 percent in the first half of this year compared to 2009, heralding a return to levels not experienced since the boom year of 2007 . . . Bill Heinecke, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Minor Group International, one of Thailand

[TotallyOz]

So Phuket should be good for hotel and package deals right now.

 

Not really the Thai way of doing things. If the levels are down, that means they will likely raise prices and tell everyone they are full beyond capacity.

[Moses]

Since russian ruble became 15% stronger against $US and about 18% stronger against Euro for past 2 years, Thailand can expect more visitors from Russia - for winter 2010/2011 there are 72 charter flights per week from Russia to BKK and Phuket in comp. with 54 in past winter. As well russian (Aeroflot) and arabian (Qatar, Emirates) air companies almost double q-ty of regular flights to BKK from Moscow.

[Guest fountainhall]

72 - that's a lot of tourists! I believe there are also charter flights from Russia flying direct to Utapao.