THE FIRST of 105 new flights from China arrived on Phuket last night, greeted with smiles, Thai dancing, beating drums, and a sense of relief.
There was no swine flu scanner to greet the arrival of the 160 tourists from Guangzhou. What would be the point?
As a pandemic, the H1N1 virus is now everywhere, and no longer a reason not to travel.
And as China is considered to be a difficult market for Thailand to win right now, the flight was something of a triumph, going healthily against the trend.
By Phuketwan's rough calculations, the Guangzhou flights in the next year at a rate of two a week are worth about 250 million baht in extra spending on the island.
Little wonder then that passengers on last night's first flight were greeted enthusiastically by the Governor, Wichai Praisa-nob, his wife, Thaisika, Vice Governor, Worapot Rattasima, the regional director of The Tourism Authority of Thailand, Setthapan Putthani, and the general manager of Phuket Airport, Prathuang Somkhom.
Leading the incoming tourists, who will stay for five days, was Chen-Pbi Yu, CEO of CZL Travel, a large Guagzhou agent, and a local secretary of the Communist Party.
''This is my first time on Phuket,'' she said. ''The welcome is a wonderful surprise.''
As Phuketwan reported earlier this month, passenger numbers through Phuket in June dipped by 8.60 percent in June, taking the total decline for the first six months of 2009 to 13.28 percent.
This compares favorably with the decline of almost 23 percent reported for international travellers through Bangkok's Suvarnabhumi Airport in June.
While Phuket has had to deal with the economic downturn, swine flu and political uncertainty in Thailand, Bangkok has those three, plus allegations of an extortion scam.
Phuket TAT has been trying to unlock the China market for quite a while.
The invasion of the Pattaya Asean summit in April and street scuffles in Bangkok brought the previous attempt undone.
Last night, all went well. Among the arriving passengers were seven members of the Yuan family, all dressed in orange shirts.
Siyin Yuan, 23, a student, who speaks English, said it was the first time the family had holidayed together overseas.
''We've been waiting for a long time to come,'' she said. ''Lots of people talk about Phuket in Guagnzhou. Here's hoping it's as good as people tell us it is.''
China is not the only market that Phuket is tapping. New flights from Korea begin on Monday, with two flights a week coming until October.
New 747 charter flights from Spain began last Wednesday, with each flight carrying 450 passengers, and will continue twice a week until October.
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There was no swine flu scanner to greet the arrival of the 160 tourists from Guangzhou. What would be the point?
As a pandemic, the H1N1 virus is now everywhere, and no longer a reason not to travel.
And as China is considered to be a difficult market for Thailand to win right now, the flight was something of a triumph, going healthily against the trend.
By Phuketwan's rough calculations, the Guangzhou flights in the next year at a rate of two a week are worth about 250 million baht in extra spending on the island.
Little wonder then that passengers on last night's first flight were greeted enthusiastically by the Governor, Wichai Praisa-nob, his wife, Thaisika, Vice Governor, Worapot Rattasima, the regional director of The Tourism Authority of Thailand, Setthapan Putthani, and the general manager of Phuket Airport, Prathuang Somkhom.
Leading the incoming tourists, who will stay for five days, was Chen-Pbi Yu, CEO of CZL Travel, a large Guagzhou agent, and a local secretary of the Communist Party.
''This is my first time on Phuket,'' she said. ''The welcome is a wonderful surprise.''
As Phuketwan reported earlier this month, passenger numbers through Phuket in June dipped by 8.60 percent in June, taking the total decline for the first six months of 2009 to 13.28 percent.
This compares favorably with the decline of almost 23 percent reported for international travellers through Bangkok's Suvarnabhumi Airport in June.
While Phuket has had to deal with the economic downturn, swine flu and political uncertainty in Thailand, Bangkok has those three, plus allegations of an extortion scam.
Phuket TAT has been trying to unlock the China market for quite a while.
The invasion of the Pattaya Asean summit in April and street scuffles in Bangkok brought the previous attempt undone.
Last night, all went well. Among the arriving passengers were seven members of the Yuan family, all dressed in orange shirts.
Siyin Yuan, 23, a student, who speaks English, said it was the first time the family had holidayed together overseas.
''We've been waiting for a long time to come,'' she said. ''Lots of people talk about Phuket in Guagnzhou. Here's hoping it's as good as people tell us it is.''
China is not the only market that Phuket is tapping. New flights from Korea begin on Monday, with two flights a week coming until October.
New 747 charter flights from Spain began last Wednesday, with each flight carrying 450 passengers, and will continue twice a week until October.
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Yes! Phuket is going to welcome everyone from China. For 3 months no-one is coming and we all miss you!
Posted by Bon Island Restaurant on July 25, 2009 21:12