PHUKET is flying again. The island is attracting resort bookings despite government travel warnings and the continuing uncertainty of national politics.
According to the marketing director of the Thai Hotels Association Southern Chapter, Bhuritt Maswongssa, the general occupancy rate for Phuket resorts at the end of September is 65 percent.
''This is encouraging,'' he told Phuketwan. ''We did not expect it would improve to this level quite so quickly.
''This high season will be ok if there is no serious upheaval in the meantime.''
The 19 airlines that service Phuket have all resumed flying after flight and passenger numbers were reduced by about 23 percent through the first three weeks of September.
Latest to return is Thai-owned Sky Star Airlines, which resumed charter services to Inchon in Korea on September 27 and flies to and from Pusan as well from October 1.
The massive blunders of August-September - the blockade of Phuket International Airport by anti-government protestors and the imposition of a state of emergency in Bangkok - appear to be gradually being corrected.
A more moderate Prime Minister now faces more measured opposition. Provided there is no dramatic escalation in the standoff, the recovery is set to continue.
A Phuketwan survey indicates figures are as expected for most resorts, with new facilities seeking a place in the holiday market.
According to the Tourism Authority of Thailand, 23 governments still maintain travel warnings about Thailand.
It means that these warnings are being ignored by travellers who do not accept the advice of their national governments.
While the accommodation recovery appears to be running well, other aspects of the tourism industry may take longer to turn around.
Phuket's spas are suffering as part of the tourism downturn, says Wichien Jutamongklon, President of Phuket Spa Association.
''Staff are quite well trained for massage on the island but there is not enough work to go around now,'' he said.
Khun Wichien said spas had become an essential part of the resort business, but it was the part that suffered most in a downturn.
Just a few months ago, before the airport blockade, the spa industry was looking for trained staff. Now spas are looking for customers.
With about 200 spas across the island, the PSA was planning to hold a spa exhibition at Jungceylon in 2009.
''That will take it closer to the tourist heart of the island,'' he said.
This year's event at Central Festival brought more than 1000 people to try massage over three days.
The island has 150 spas linked to resorts and another 50 stand-alone spas.
Here's how resorts on Phuket and in Phang Nga responded to a survey by Phuketwan:
On Naiharn beach, the All Seasons Naiharn Phuket, (formerly the Sabana Resort, 154 rooms, open January 2008) reported occupancy at 50 percent. A Reservations spokesman said that this high season the three-star had bookings that were almost full would perhaps be looking for more staff.
At Kata, the Sugar Palm Resort and Spa (108 rooms, open 2006) reported occupancy at 60 percent. A Reservations spokeswoman said that December was booked out and the rest of the high season was likely to also be full.
Also at Kata, Sawasdee Village (40 rooms, opened 1999), reported occupancy at 35 percent. A Reservations spokesman said that bookings were already running higher than that for the high season, with guests mostly from Scandinavia and Germany.
The owner of theMai Khao Beach Bungalows (four rooms, opened 1999) said that the family business will reopen in November. No bookings were being taken yet.
In Patong, the Swiss Palm Beach (36 rooms open 1993 ) reported occupancy at 20 percent. A Reservations spokeswoman said that high season bookings were running at 70 percent. Dynamic rates begin at 3900 baht. (low season rate: 2400 baht).
In Thalang, The Kris Resort (48 rooms, open March 2008) had an occupancy rate of 10 percent. A Reservations spokesman the resort was new and so this would be the resort's first real high season.
According to the marketing director of the Thai Hotels Association Southern Chapter, Bhuritt Maswongssa, the general occupancy rate for Phuket resorts at the end of September is 65 percent.
''This is encouraging,'' he told Phuketwan. ''We did not expect it would improve to this level quite so quickly.
''This high season will be ok if there is no serious upheaval in the meantime.''
The 19 airlines that service Phuket have all resumed flying after flight and passenger numbers were reduced by about 23 percent through the first three weeks of September.
Latest to return is Thai-owned Sky Star Airlines, which resumed charter services to Inchon in Korea on September 27 and flies to and from Pusan as well from October 1.
The massive blunders of August-September - the blockade of Phuket International Airport by anti-government protestors and the imposition of a state of emergency in Bangkok - appear to be gradually being corrected.
A more moderate Prime Minister now faces more measured opposition. Provided there is no dramatic escalation in the standoff, the recovery is set to continue.
A Phuketwan survey indicates figures are as expected for most resorts, with new facilities seeking a place in the holiday market.
According to the Tourism Authority of Thailand, 23 governments still maintain travel warnings about Thailand.
It means that these warnings are being ignored by travellers who do not accept the advice of their national governments.
While the accommodation recovery appears to be running well, other aspects of the tourism industry may take longer to turn around.
Phuket's spas are suffering as part of the tourism downturn, says Wichien Jutamongklon, President of Phuket Spa Association.
''Staff are quite well trained for massage on the island but there is not enough work to go around now,'' he said.
Khun Wichien said spas had become an essential part of the resort business, but it was the part that suffered most in a downturn.
Just a few months ago, before the airport blockade, the spa industry was looking for trained staff. Now spas are looking for customers.
With about 200 spas across the island, the PSA was planning to hold a spa exhibition at Jungceylon in 2009.
''That will take it closer to the tourist heart of the island,'' he said.
This year's event at Central Festival brought more than 1000 people to try massage over three days.
The island has 150 spas linked to resorts and another 50 stand-alone spas.
Here's how resorts on Phuket and in Phang Nga responded to a survey by Phuketwan:
On Naiharn beach, the All Seasons Naiharn Phuket, (formerly the Sabana Resort, 154 rooms, open January 2008) reported occupancy at 50 percent. A Reservations spokesman said that this high season the three-star had bookings that were almost full would perhaps be looking for more staff.
At Kata, the Sugar Palm Resort and Spa (108 rooms, open 2006) reported occupancy at 60 percent. A Reservations spokeswoman said that December was booked out and the rest of the high season was likely to also be full.
Also at Kata, Sawasdee Village (40 rooms, opened 1999), reported occupancy at 35 percent. A Reservations spokesman said that bookings were already running higher than that for the high season, with guests mostly from Scandinavia and Germany.
The owner of theMai Khao Beach Bungalows (four rooms, opened 1999) said that the family business will reopen in November. No bookings were being taken yet.
In Patong, the Swiss Palm Beach (36 rooms open 1993 ) reported occupancy at 20 percent. A Reservations spokeswoman said that high season bookings were running at 70 percent. Dynamic rates begin at 3900 baht. (low season rate: 2400 baht).
In Thalang, The Kris Resort (48 rooms, open March 2008) had an occupancy rate of 10 percent. A Reservations spokesman the resort was new and so this would be the resort's first real high season.
