PHUKET: Passenger numbers at Phuket International Airport dipped in August for the third month straight but indications are that the downward trend may be brief and coming to an end soon.
With major changes being undertaken to end some of Phuket's chronic problems and a remake adding a new international terminal, Phuket's appeal as a tropical island holiday destination could resume its positive upward spiral as early as September or October.
Latest figures show a fall of 6.80 percent year on year for August, a steady improvement on the figures of -12.56 percent for June and -9.69 percent for July that came as people reacted to the military takeover in Thailand.
To the end of August, the total number of arrivals and departures for the first two-thirds of 2014 reached 7,577,848. That's an infinitesimal 0.09 percent rise over last year to the same point, hardly an increase to boast about.
However, bookings for resorts from October on will be watched closely to see whether there's any detectable reaction to the removal of all sunbeds and umbrellas from Phuket's beaches.
While the lotus-eating layabouts are complaining, most tourists and residents see the demise of private enterprise on Thailand's public beaches as an encouraging steps towards promoting and preserving the natural attractions of Phuket, Phang Nga and Krabi for generations to come.
As the island grows into a city with good beaches, the Army and police are wisely trying to turn the troublesome and expensive taxis and tuk-tuks into a transport service to make Phuket proud.
The cab named ''New Phuket'' has been despatched but it may take a little extra time yet to arrive, anxious passengers are being told. Put the delay down to the traffic.
In 2013, passengers through Phuket airport reached 10.9 million for the year. This means there were 5.45 million arrivals, including by our reckoning about 2.8 million international tourists.
Phuket's run of three straight months in decline follows a remarkable five-year period when the figures for all 72 consecutive months rose.
With major changes being undertaken to end some of Phuket's chronic problems and a remake adding a new international terminal, Phuket's appeal as a tropical island holiday destination could resume its positive upward spiral as early as September or October.
Latest figures show a fall of 6.80 percent year on year for August, a steady improvement on the figures of -12.56 percent for June and -9.69 percent for July that came as people reacted to the military takeover in Thailand.
To the end of August, the total number of arrivals and departures for the first two-thirds of 2014 reached 7,577,848. That's an infinitesimal 0.09 percent rise over last year to the same point, hardly an increase to boast about.
However, bookings for resorts from October on will be watched closely to see whether there's any detectable reaction to the removal of all sunbeds and umbrellas from Phuket's beaches.
While the lotus-eating layabouts are complaining, most tourists and residents see the demise of private enterprise on Thailand's public beaches as an encouraging steps towards promoting and preserving the natural attractions of Phuket, Phang Nga and Krabi for generations to come.
As the island grows into a city with good beaches, the Army and police are wisely trying to turn the troublesome and expensive taxis and tuk-tuks into a transport service to make Phuket proud.
The cab named ''New Phuket'' has been despatched but it may take a little extra time yet to arrive, anxious passengers are being told. Put the delay down to the traffic.
In 2013, passengers through Phuket airport reached 10.9 million for the year. This means there were 5.45 million arrivals, including by our reckoning about 2.8 million international tourists.
Phuket's run of three straight months in decline follows a remarkable five-year period when the figures for all 72 consecutive months rose.
I wonder what the indicators for a rebound in passenger numbers are, other than wishful thinking.
Posted by Herbert on September 6, 2014 11:23
Editor Comment:
Enormous amounts of TAT marketing, an open, low-cost approach to Chinese tourists, and an acceptance by the international media that a coup in Thailand is not the same as a coup in Cairo or Moscow.