PHUKET: The number of Russian tourists to Phuket should be down by 30 to 40 percent this year, the president of the Thai Hotels Association, (Southern Region), Kritsada Tansaku, said today.
But he expects the high season occupancy at Phuket resorts, which hit 80 percent last high season, should hold at around 75 percent in 2013-14.
''The Ukranian crisis and the drop in the value of Russia's currency have caused problems,'' he said. ''And Russian officials are not allowed to travel, so that also has an effect.''
Efforts were being made to improve safety and security and give tourists a rip-off free experience from the moment they reached Immigration counters at Phuket International Airport, he said.
''We are trying to encourage good behavior to greet tourists wherever they go,'' Khun Kritsada added. ''Word of mouth continues to be so important and we want it to always be positive.''
With the Asean Economic Community coming, the THA intended to hold training sessions to boost skills.
While Phuket's tourism numbers have been trending down for three months, the island is far better off than Bangkok or other high-profile destinations in Thailand.
Direct flights have cut Phuket free from concerns about the politics of the capital and its diversity of appeal across many countries reduces the impact of downturns from any single source.
But he expects the high season occupancy at Phuket resorts, which hit 80 percent last high season, should hold at around 75 percent in 2013-14.
''The Ukranian crisis and the drop in the value of Russia's currency have caused problems,'' he said. ''And Russian officials are not allowed to travel, so that also has an effect.''
Efforts were being made to improve safety and security and give tourists a rip-off free experience from the moment they reached Immigration counters at Phuket International Airport, he said.
''We are trying to encourage good behavior to greet tourists wherever they go,'' Khun Kritsada added. ''Word of mouth continues to be so important and we want it to always be positive.''
With the Asean Economic Community coming, the THA intended to hold training sessions to boost skills.
While Phuket's tourism numbers have been trending down for three months, the island is far better off than Bangkok or other high-profile destinations in Thailand.
Direct flights have cut Phuket free from concerns about the politics of the capital and its diversity of appeal across many countries reduces the impact of downturns from any single source.
Yay...more valuable or "quality" tourists... like the moron I saw at Surin Beach today. He took his pack of cigarettes out of a plastic bag, and just dropped the plastic bag at his feet. He then opened his pack of smokes and let the wrappers blow out of his hand, evidently the same trashy behavior he practices in his homeland. I pointed to the trash and gave him a "what the hell" look, and he stared back at me and said "you got problem... F^#% you". Ahh yes, visions of another wonderful high season of "quality" tourists.
Posted by Ed Sanders on September 19, 2014 23:35