PHUKET air passenger numbers reflect a curious dilemma, a problem so strange that the English language really can't cope. We are going to have to run the gamut of claims of sexism to explain this . . . but it's important to understand the point.
The Japanese language, so we have learned, includes a word for a woman who looks great from behind, but proves on closer inspection to be unattractive. Phuket's tourism is just like that.
At first glance, the figures are beautiful: overseas passengers through Phuket International Airport rising 66.52 percent in May, compensating for a 5.83 percent dip in domestic traffic, and providing a total of 426,423 arrivals and departures, up 18.06 percent overall.
But looked at more closely, that great first impression is not so good.
The key is that last May was truly horrendous in the wake of the red invasion of the Asean conference in Pattaya and trouble in Bangkok. Figures for May last year dropped by 14.48 percent on the previous year.
So this year's increase really only takes Phuket back to fractionally above where it was in May 2008.
Meanwhile, of course, the number of rooms available on Phuket and around the Andaman has increased considerably. So, although the long-term prospects remain appealing, more people in the industry are suffering.
While most figures for May 2010 are up on last year, only extreme optimists and the Tourism Authority of Thailand perhaps would try to project it as some kind of evidence that Phuket and the industry is in great shape.
In fact, the resort occupancy figures that Phuketwan hears lately are much lower than official figures being quoted more broadly in the media.
And this month, June? Our industry contacts are telling us that June is going to be awful.
Scary television coverage of the Bangkok confrontation and those travel alerts that unfairly included Phuket will continue to needlessly damage tourism in Phuket and around the Andaman, as well as Thailand as a whole.
Some sensible travellers from Queensland are flying to watch the World Cup from June 11 on Phuket in a much better time zone, and at a fraction of the price of a fare to South Africa, however most of their fellow Aussies - and just about the whole of Europe - will stay at home to watch the best teams in the world in action.
June has been a dismal months for the past two years, and this year there will be no kickbacks for Phuket from the World Cup. With the crackdown on illegal football gambling, we can't add ''You can bet on it'' because that would be inciting readers to break the law.
Perhaps there's a Japanese word for that, too.
On the positive side of the ledger, expat arrivals via Bangkok's Suvarnabhumi Airport have increased to between 17,000 and 18,000 over the past two days from a low of 12,000 to 13,000 between May 19-21, the Bangkok Post reports today.
TAT Governor Surapol Svetasreni has said his organisation is planning special events during the low season to attract overseas visitors.
Phuket Prison, No Bars to Fine FurnitureThe Japanese language, so we have learned, includes a word for a woman who looks great from behind, but proves on closer inspection to be unattractive. Phuket's tourism is just like that.
At first glance, the figures are beautiful: overseas passengers through Phuket International Airport rising 66.52 percent in May, compensating for a 5.83 percent dip in domestic traffic, and providing a total of 426,423 arrivals and departures, up 18.06 percent overall.
But looked at more closely, that great first impression is not so good.
The key is that last May was truly horrendous in the wake of the red invasion of the Asean conference in Pattaya and trouble in Bangkok. Figures for May last year dropped by 14.48 percent on the previous year.
So this year's increase really only takes Phuket back to fractionally above where it was in May 2008.
Meanwhile, of course, the number of rooms available on Phuket and around the Andaman has increased considerably. So, although the long-term prospects remain appealing, more people in the industry are suffering.
While most figures for May 2010 are up on last year, only extreme optimists and the Tourism Authority of Thailand perhaps would try to project it as some kind of evidence that Phuket and the industry is in great shape.
In fact, the resort occupancy figures that Phuketwan hears lately are much lower than official figures being quoted more broadly in the media.
And this month, June? Our industry contacts are telling us that June is going to be awful.
Scary television coverage of the Bangkok confrontation and those travel alerts that unfairly included Phuket will continue to needlessly damage tourism in Phuket and around the Andaman, as well as Thailand as a whole.
Some sensible travellers from Queensland are flying to watch the World Cup from June 11 on Phuket in a much better time zone, and at a fraction of the price of a fare to South Africa, however most of their fellow Aussies - and just about the whole of Europe - will stay at home to watch the best teams in the world in action.
June has been a dismal months for the past two years, and this year there will be no kickbacks for Phuket from the World Cup. With the crackdown on illegal football gambling, we can't add ''You can bet on it'' because that would be inciting readers to break the law.
Perhaps there's a Japanese word for that, too.
On the positive side of the ledger, expat arrivals via Bangkok's Suvarnabhumi Airport have increased to between 17,000 and 18,000 over the past two days from a low of 12,000 to 13,000 between May 19-21, the Bangkok Post reports today.
TAT Governor Surapol Svetasreni has said his organisation is planning special events during the low season to attract overseas visitors.
Latest Phuket and other Thai prisons are not going to be replaced so space will have to be created on the inside to handle overcrowding, says the Director of the Corrections Department.
Phuket Prison, No Bars to Fine Furniture
Phuket Bliss as 400 Indian Brides Plan Island Hitch
Latest The TAT says Phuket should benefit to the 'Here Comes the Bride' tune of one billion baht if a proposal for 400 Indian couples to wed on the island comes off.
Phuket Bliss as 400 Indian Brides Plan Island Hitch
Police Chief Acts to Still Loud Noise in Patong
Latest A meeting is to be called by Patong's chief of police to deal with loud noise that is causing problems for tourists and residents in Patong, Phuketwan has learned.
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Phuket Boy in 'Kidnap from Europe' Drama
Breaking News A Thai mother who was granted access to her boy in the Netherlands fled with him first to France then probably to Phuket, the boy's grieving step mother tells Phuketwan.
Phuket Boy in 'Kidnap from Europe' Drama
MediaWATCH: The Killer Sexpat; Tourism Rescue Pack; Phuket Resort Laments Alerts
Phuket News Digest Mass killer's trips to Thailand; Top resort regrets travel alerts; Ferdinand, Drogba out; Thai football bet crackdown; Phuket golf latest; Israeli hero killed six. World Cup Watch
MediaWATCH: The Killer Sexpat; Tourism Rescue Pack; Phuket Resort Laments Alerts
In Germany there is also the saying: "Von hinten lockt'se, von vorne schockt'se." Translated in poor English: Tempting the back, shocking the front.
Posted by Khun Alex on June 5, 2010 16:42