A LARGE Scandinavian charter operator and its Thai tour partner are forecasting a bright 2010-2011 for Phuket based on forward bookings from Denmark, Finland, Norway and Sweden.
TUI Nordic brought 200,000 passengers to Thailand in 2008-2009 and 170,000 in 2009-2010 and agents Turismo Asia are anticipating a 15 percent increase in 2010-2011. The vast majority of those passengers spend time on Phuket, in Phang Nga or Krabi.
TUI Nordic is expecting to fly three times a week to Phuket and once to Bangkok during the high season, although there are times during the peak when as many as 20 charter flights a week can be coming to Phuket.
The charter company's Chief Executive, Christian Clemenets, would also like to see the Thai Government lower airport taxes and landing fees to stimulate a faster recovery.
''This recovery method has been successfully implemented in some other tourist destinations,'' he said. ''We have so far sold 8000 more trips compared to the same period last year, but in order to get sale speed up to where it should be, sales stimulating initiatives are needed.''
On Phuket Turismo Asia's Santi Thiengthan said Scandinavians loved the weather in Thailand and were attracted to Phuket because beaches, reefs, mountains and adventure trips were all within easy reach.
''They know Phuket is a different place to Bangkok and have not been deterred by the problems in the capital,'' Khun Santi said.
While the strength of the Thai baht was making the travel market more competitive in Europe, the other problem that needed to be addressed was the waiting time at Phuket Immigration when several charter flights arrived one after another in quick succession.
TUI Nordic brought 200,000 passengers to Thailand in 2008-2009 and 170,000 in 2009-2010 and agents Turismo Asia are anticipating a 15 percent increase in 2010-2011. The vast majority of those passengers spend time on Phuket, in Phang Nga or Krabi.
TUI Nordic is expecting to fly three times a week to Phuket and once to Bangkok during the high season, although there are times during the peak when as many as 20 charter flights a week can be coming to Phuket.
The charter company's Chief Executive, Christian Clemenets, would also like to see the Thai Government lower airport taxes and landing fees to stimulate a faster recovery.
''This recovery method has been successfully implemented in some other tourist destinations,'' he said. ''We have so far sold 8000 more trips compared to the same period last year, but in order to get sale speed up to where it should be, sales stimulating initiatives are needed.''
On Phuket Turismo Asia's Santi Thiengthan said Scandinavians loved the weather in Thailand and were attracted to Phuket because beaches, reefs, mountains and adventure trips were all within easy reach.
''They know Phuket is a different place to Bangkok and have not been deterred by the problems in the capital,'' Khun Santi said.
While the strength of the Thai baht was making the travel market more competitive in Europe, the other problem that needed to be addressed was the waiting time at Phuket Immigration when several charter flights arrived one after another in quick succession.
I would not count on getting more Scandinavians in 2010/11 than in 2008/09.
Many prices in Phuket have gone up 5-15 percent since December 2009 and combined with the weaker Scandinavian currencies this mean a real price hike of more than 20 percent.
Airline prices have also increased for the winter of 2010/11 and combined with the problems concerning tuk-tuks, public transportation, road accidents, beach drownings, dengue fever etc. I think Phuket has to get it act together, in order not to end up a loser in a still increasingly competetive market.
Lastly I think we all know, that the "red" problem is still not solved and could lead to new problems for Thailand.
Posted by Niels Erik Clausen on June 27, 2010 00:16