RESORTS on and around Phuket are doing reasonably well compared to elsewhere in Thailand, the latest Phuketwan survey of occupancy rates and economic impacts reveals.

While revenue is down, most have yet to be forced to take drastic action by reducing pay or staff. There is a general air of uncertainty, though, about what might happen after the Songkran-Easter break.

Resorts are mostly extremely active in marketing campagns of one kind or another, or in some cases every kind they can, to encourage forward bookings.

In most cases, the downturn can be traced back at least as far as the August 2008 blockade of Phuket International Airport, so the general malaise is now eight months long, with no end in sight.

From May, with the golden burst of a successful Songkran-Easter sharp in memories, the slip to lower occupancy rates is likely to be sudden for some and only a precious few optimists think that the recovery will come quickly.

While the economic downturn applies unevenly everywhere, Thailand also has continuing political uncertainty. Tourists, along with resort managements, have no way of knowing whether the increasingly passionate outbursts will affect them.

In the case of Thailand's near-neighbors, visitors are holidaying at home or at destinations where their security is assured. Mostly, it's the regular visitors who keep coming back.

There are few first-timers. As the uncertainty continues, this factor is also likely to have an impact.


Open: 2006 Rooms: 52
Standard: Four star

THE occupancy rate for January was 65 percent compared to 90 percent in the same month last year. In February, the rate fell to 63 percent compared to 85 percent. In March, the occupancy was at 60 percent compared to 82 percent last year. This was due to political turmoil in Thailand and the global economic downturn. Spending by guests was down 30 percent to 40 percent compared to last year. Most guests are from Europe, Scandinavia and Australia. Expat guests make up 90 percent of the resort's market. April so far has brought bookings of 40 percent to 50 percent, with most in the pre-Songkran half of the month. After Songkran, bookings fall away. Customers appeared to be cautious and taking their time about making bookings for later in the year. Guests who once made decisions one or two months in advance were now opting to go on holidays on one or two weeks' notice. Promotions of many kinds are being used to bolster bookings. Over Songkran, promotions are expected to appeal to the Thai target market. In March, Manathai joined the Thailand Travel Trade exhibition in Bangkok and achieved a 10 percent to 20 percent bookings boost as a result from Thai customers. Staff are all being retained as normal at present without extra time off being imposed.

Comments from front office manager, Thanadol Pongkankham
Contact: 076-270900 reservation-phuket@manathai.com


Open: 2004 Rooms: 460
Standard: four star

THE occupancy rate in January was 90 percent at Graceland. February was even better, 92 percent. The previous year it was nearly 100 percent. March 2009 brought a drop to 74 percent from 95 percent the previous year. April promises 80 percent so far. May to July is of considerable concern because bookings are not coming in large numbers. Nor are there bookings from tour groups. Most guests are from Europe, especially Germany and France. Australia sends most guests, however. About 15 percent of guests are Thai. Of the expats, Australia made up 70 percent and Europe 30 percent. The Bangkok airport blockade and the global economic downturn triggered the downturn in occupancy. Some booking agents closed at the end of last year. Graceland has been trying many campaigns to increase customers, and numbers of online bookings especially were increasing. Discounts online were attracting interest. Thailand Travel Trade in Bangkok produced a boost in Thai bookings.

Comment from reservations manager Jaruwan Kreechaichana
Cantact: 076 370500 info@phuketgraceland.com


Open: 2004 Rooms: 79
Standard: three star

JANUARY 2009 produced occupancy of 46 percent compared to 98 percent. February fell to 31 percent, down from 80 percent the previous year. March brought 23 percent occupancy compared to 65 percent last year. Bookings for April were running at about 20 percent. Most of the bookings had come through the Internet. Most are Scandinavian. But some charter flights were ceasing to operate from Songkran onwards, so numbers were down. Thais were coming for the water festival, with the Phulin almost full from April 11-16. Overall, though, expats made up 95 percent of guests. About 15 percent of the expats were from Asia. Forward bookings for May were still less than 10 percent. About 10 staff were laid off at the start of 2009, based on occupancy rates. Some other staff had left voluntarily, so the Phulin has a few staff vacancies to fill. World economic circumstances and the Bangkok airport blockade, especially as it was reported by the media in Singapore, stopped guests coming. Asian visitors seemed more sensitive to political unrest.

Comments by reservations supervisor Sasivimon Togate
Contact: 076 398327-8 info@thephulin.com


Open: 2005 Rooms: 117
Standard: three star

THE January occupancy rate was 80 percent compared to 85 percent last year. For February, the occupancy rate was 70 percent, down from 85 percent the previous year. March occupancy in 2008 was 75 percent, and that fell by 10 percent this year. April bookings are running at 35 percent, with customers from Thailand, China and Europe. Special promotions were being applied, with ''stay one week and pay for five nights'' being popular. People who stayed four nights paid for three. Rates have dropped from 3500 baht to 1500 baht from April. Occupancy was turning with the world economy, with people being careful on spending. May to July could bring leave without pay for staff unless bookings improved. So far, pay and staff numbers continued to be normal. The Asia zone countries, China, Taiwan, Hong Kong, Malaysia and Singapore, were the new target. Staff service charges were being spread more evenly at present, across high and low seasons. Tri Trang was quiet, so it appealed to expats who like to relax.

Comment by general manager Sern Chansuk
Contact: 076 338701-3 info@tritrangbeachresort.com


Open: 2006 Villas: 30
Standard: five star

THE January occupancy rate this year was 60 percent and it rose to 70 percent in February, reaching 80 percent in March. These rates compared to almost 100 percent in March last year. Bookings for April were around 55 percent. May was running at 35 percent. Hard work of the marketing sales team was responsible for maintaining levels. Thailand Travel Trade in Bangkok helped boost Thai guests at the Pavillions. For this year, Thai customers are expected to increase. Marketing will target expats, with the majority of guests already returning guests. The economic downturn was not a huge problem for Pavillions. A campaign every month was producing results, with the Easter campaign, as distinct from Songkran, working well. Most guests are from Europe, Korea, Hong Kong, Singapore, and the Middle East. Expats make up 98 percent of guests. As for pricing, discounts were proving effective. Staff levels were unchanged. Occupancy was expected to decline in July because potential guests were concerned about spending.

Comment by Sakditad Phetkon, assistant, front office
Contact: 076 317600 info@phuketpavillions.com


Open: 1998 Rooms: 45
No star rating

JANUARY occupancy was at 70 percent this year, with an increase to 90 percent in February. March brought 60 percent. April bookings were running at less than 50 percent so far. Naithon's high season ran for just four months, from December to March, with cancellations since the airport blockade having a substantial effect. Most of the guests made advance bookings, about five or six months ahead. They were mostly from Sweden, Britain and Germany, and Thais made up a small proportion of guests. May to July is going to be extremely quiet because swimming on the beach is not possible. Staff had been retained but salaries had been cut by 10 percent for the low season. Full rates should return next high season.

Comment by reservation manager Anoma Shangsen.
Contact: 076 205233 naithon@phuket.dir.com


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