PHUKET'S pulse is strong and the outlook is positive for the rest of the year, a tourism industry leader said today. Flights from China especially are about to boom, with Scandinavia and the Middle East routes also blossoming.
Suchart Hirankanokkul, president of the Thai Hotels Association, southern chapter, and owner of the Phuket Graceland Resort and Spa, told Phuketwan that he is equally optimitic in the outlook for Khao Lak, in neighboring Phang Nga province.
He said Phuket's average resort/guesthouse occupancy rate was at 57 percent in July and 55 percent in August after averaging 59.1 percent in the first six months of 2010, up 2.72 percent on the previous year.
''Bookings are looking better now,'' Khun Suchart said. ''We had an excellent January and February, then business fell away because of the strife in Bangkok.''
But he said that provided there was no renewal of the April-May violence in the capital, Phuket could look forward to an even better high season in 2010-2011 than in 2009-2010.
Another road trip, this time to Australia in September, should help to shore up the foundations of the Andaman tourism business. And the fresh direct flights to Phuket, avoiding all the potential problems of Bangkok, just keep on coming.
With Russians and Scandinavians showing a preference for Khao Lak, a China ''invasion'' appears to also be looming.
From August 12, flights will be Phuket-bound every four days from Chung Ching in Sichuan province until the end of the year. From the southern province of Guangzhao, planes are arriving on Phuket on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays.
Three flights a week further north from the capital Beijing began on July 31. Add flights to Hong Kong via AirAsia and Dragonair, and China is becoming one of Phuket's best markets once again.
From October, Qatar Airlines flies daily from Doha to Kuala Lumpur and on to Phuket, opening up the region to Middle East travellers, and at competitive cost. Resumption of budget flights by One-Two-Go is also anticipated in October.
With the Thai Tiger budget brand set to take to the skies, the prospects for Phuket do seem every bit as encouraging as Khun Suchart suggests.
Phuket's Dengue Plague: Record Numbers of VictimsSuchart Hirankanokkul, president of the Thai Hotels Association, southern chapter, and owner of the Phuket Graceland Resort and Spa, told Phuketwan that he is equally optimitic in the outlook for Khao Lak, in neighboring Phang Nga province.
He said Phuket's average resort/guesthouse occupancy rate was at 57 percent in July and 55 percent in August after averaging 59.1 percent in the first six months of 2010, up 2.72 percent on the previous year.
''Bookings are looking better now,'' Khun Suchart said. ''We had an excellent January and February, then business fell away because of the strife in Bangkok.''
But he said that provided there was no renewal of the April-May violence in the capital, Phuket could look forward to an even better high season in 2010-2011 than in 2009-2010.
Another road trip, this time to Australia in September, should help to shore up the foundations of the Andaman tourism business. And the fresh direct flights to Phuket, avoiding all the potential problems of Bangkok, just keep on coming.
With Russians and Scandinavians showing a preference for Khao Lak, a China ''invasion'' appears to also be looming.
From August 12, flights will be Phuket-bound every four days from Chung Ching in Sichuan province until the end of the year. From the southern province of Guangzhao, planes are arriving on Phuket on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays.
Three flights a week further north from the capital Beijing began on July 31. Add flights to Hong Kong via AirAsia and Dragonair, and China is becoming one of Phuket's best markets once again.
From October, Qatar Airlines flies daily from Doha to Kuala Lumpur and on to Phuket, opening up the region to Middle East travellers, and at competitive cost. Resumption of budget flights by One-Two-Go is also anticipated in October.
With the Thai Tiger budget brand set to take to the skies, the prospects for Phuket do seem every bit as encouraging as Khun Suchart suggests.
Latest Phuket people come down in record numbers from a dengue fever outbreak that Public Health is attempting to stifle. The pain inflicted by dengue is excruciating.
Phuket's Dengue Plague: Record Numbers of Victims
Gas Truck Rolls, Crashes on Second Phuket 'Killer Hill'
Breaking News The passenger is a truck carrying a load of full gas cylinders is killed when the brakes of the vehicle fail on Karon Hill, which now rivals Phuket's notorious Patong Hill.
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News Analysis At least one Thai news outlet is misreporting an attempt by a lawyer for outlaw PM Thaksin Shinawatra to make political capital from an over the top travel warning for Thailand.
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Phuket's Outlook: Sunny, With China Shining Bright
Latest The outlook for Phuket tourism remains bright thanks to the brand's resilience and direct flights, with China offering growth for a promising high season to come.
Phuket's Outlook: Sunny, With China Shining Bright
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News Analysis The Governors of Phuket and Phag Nga are to depart at the same time, leaving both important tourism provinces on the cusp of key decisions about the future.
Phuket, Phang Nga Governors to Wave Goodbye
The Qatar Airways Doha Flight is Great for Ex-Pat Oil Workers that live here or will come now there is a direct link into Middle East.
Great News
Posted by Oil Worker on August 4, 2010 22:00