Tourism: Koh Pha-Ngan Island faces challenges

[webfact]

TOURISM 

Koh Pha-Ngan Island  faces challenges 

 

 

Thailand's idyllic Koh Pha-Ngan island is renowned globally for its marque Full Moon parties. On the heels of soaring demand for the big event, visitor numbers surpassed the one million ceiling two years ago and over a five-year period registered compound annual growth rate of 17 per cent. 

 

While the numbers are impressive, the reality for resorts on the ground is one of disruptive trading. Accommodation establishments are continually being forced to deal with high occupancy that often surpasses 80 per cent in peak periods but rapidly falls off as soon as the Full Moon event tapers off.

 

According to C9 Hotelworks’ latest Koh Pha-Ngan and Koh Tao Hotel Market Update, the two islands have over 13,000 rooms and supply growth is rising at 10 per cent. As the destination matures, the key challenge is how to diversify its market segments in order to avoid being a one-trick pony.

 

Commenting on tourism trends to the islands, C9 Hotelworks’ Bill Barnett said "unlike most other Thai resort areas that are being immersed in Asia-centric mass numbers, demand to the two islands in the Gulf of Thailand is focused on long-haul visitors from Europe, Australia and North America.

 

The main challenge to avoid big event syndrome and a mono market, is the dependence on nearby Koh Samui's private gateway airport which is experiencing challenging conditions due to high airfares and a broader lack of airline diversity servicing the sector. At the end of the day, you can't stay there, if you can't get there."

 

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/detail/Tourism/30367160

 

-- © Copyright The Nation 2019-04-05

 

[strikingsunset]

“ broader lack of airline diversity” love it ...........


Sent from my iPhone using Thaivisa Connect

[crazykopite]

Nothing will change unless air flights are reduced and as it’s a private airport there is only one winner.

[Taco]

As a long term business owner at Koh Phangan we just faced our worst 12 month period I have seen.  The full moon party is dwindling and Haad Rin is dieing.  Almost all restaurants closing or for sale in Haad Rin for good reason, how do you survive on 3-4 days a month business?  Demand for accommodation has shifted almost entirely to the west and north west side of the island and the businesses are moving there.  Chasing the customers makes sense to most but I think improving your spot and offerings improves your investment and the island greater.  Unfortunately the latter has not happened much and the travelers are just booking online possibly not liking their spot and moving on faster. 

 

The island has a lot to offer and the international food offerings here are top notch compared to prices in other tourist areas.  We don't need or want an airport here, flights to Surat are dirt cheap and if you want convenience you just pay more to fly to Samui.  The big question is will the powerful local business and land owners back a tourism marketing budget that shows this island as a whole and the amazing place that it is.  Basically the only beach front bohemian scene in Thailand, loads of good food choices, accommodation ranging from basic to luxurious villas, plenty of tours, activities, kite surfing and scuba, beautiful beaches and miles of green mountainous national park.  This island needs to be seen by the world as an ecotourism location with a heavy splash of party.  Alcohol is not cheap in Thailand and the parties in Koh Phangan are not cheap either.  Why would we chase a crowd that only has enough money to get drunk one or two nights spend all their money and be forced to move on with a rocking headache.  It makes no sense.  Its not time for same same its time for different. 

[carmine]

This is classic TAT.  Everybody here knows the ludicrous flight costs flying into Samui is one if not the major issue with tourist number yet they will find any excuse or reason to avoid admitting this because nothing will ever change on this front.  Its so frustrating and as so many things here that need changing, so avoidable.

 

And were still being told by the authorities the numbers are good and everyones looking forward to a good tourist year!????  They need to learn the saying; you can't kid a kidder!!

Edited April 5, 2019 by carmine

[robertson468]

The cost of flights to Samui are outrageous and cost the same or more than a flight to India.  It seems that the Airport Owners do not understand that it is better to get 100 baht 10 times than to get 500 baht once.  TIT!

[Tropicalevo]

55 minutes ago, robertson468 said:

The cost of flights to Samui are outrageous and cost the same or more than a flight to India.  It seems that the Airport Owners do not understand that it is better to get 100 baht 10 times than to get 500 baht once.  TIT!

Yes - flight costs by Bandit Airways are outrageous. However, flights are fully booked most of the time. When the flights are not fully booked (low season) prices drop. So, I only fly Bandit Airways low season!

[carmine]

37 minutes ago, Tropicalevo said:

Yes - flight costs by Bandit Airways are outrageous. However, flights are fully booked most of the time. When the flights are not fully booked (low season) prices drop. So, I only fly Bandit Airways low season!

Remembering that they reduce the number of flights accordingly in low season so the fact that a number of these flights are full bares little relevance to numbers on the island.

 

Ofcourse if tourists were able to fly from Bangkok to Samui for the same price they can fly from Bangkok to Phuket for example there is little doubt Samui would be a great deal busier.  For our fall in numbers we have Bangkok Airways and poor exchange rates to thank, one highlighting the negatives of the other.  This airline truly is the nemesis of the entire Samui Archipelago.

[khunPer]

1 hour ago, robertson468 said:

The cost of flights to Samui are outrageous and cost the same or more than a flight to India.  It seems that the Airport Owners do not understand that it is better to get 100 baht 10 times than to get 500 baht once.  TIT!

There might well not be 10 times 100 baht instead of one time 500. Why should suddenly 10 times as many folks flok to Samui and her sisters, where many already complain about too many tourists, compared to the paradise islands in the past, and how would the infrastructure – including road traffic – accommodate 10 times as many visitors, and the required extra service staff?

 

Number of incoming passengers are still rising every year, but the type of turists is changing. More families, couples and small private groups are coming, and they might not at all be in demand for joining a Full Moon Party and like, but instead preferring upper end accommodation and gourmet food; as well as private, preferably pool, villas. Most of these tourist don't seem to care that much about price, they rather seem to care about quality of the vacation, and booking a complete code-share ticket from somewhere abroad to Samui, the Bangkok Air price is not even visible. Furthermore, many are spending for 10,000 baht or 20,000 baht and (way) up a night for accommodation, so a few thousand baht more of less on the flight ticket don't make a huge difference.

 

Keep the high airfares, and save Samui and her sisters from been overrun by budget visitors that would just complain about the in general overall little higher price levels on the islands...????

[myshem]

So good that idiots stay on SAMUI, because KPG is still the best island for someone who likes at the same time some development and desert beaches. I visited almost all Thai islands and beaches, the best one is still on KPG !

[huberthammer]

17 hours ago, myshem said:

So good that idiots stay on SAMUI, because KPG is still the best island for someone who likes at the same time some development and desert beaches. I visited almost all Thai islands and beaches, the best one is still on KPG !

Thanks mate - appreciate your quality comment on Samui Residents and tourists. Glad you like KPG and don't spend time in Samui.

[UDman]

On ‎4‎/‎5‎/‎2019 at 11:08 AM, Taco said:

As a long term business owner at Koh Phangan we just faced our worst 12 month period I have seen.  The full moon party is dwindling and Haad Rin is dieing.  Almost all restaurants closing or for sale in Haad Rin for good reason, how do you survive on 3-4 days a month business?  Demand for accommodation has shifted almost entirely to the west and north west side of the island and the businesses are moving there.  Chasing the customers makes sense to most but I think improving your spot and offerings improves your investment and the island greater.  Unfortunately the latter has not happened much and the travelers are just booking online possibly not liking their spot and moving on faster. 

 

The island has a lot to offer and the international food offerings here are top notch compared to prices in other tourist areas.  We don't need or want an airport here, flights to Surat are dirt cheap and if you want convenience you just pay more to fly to Samui.  The big question is will the powerful local business and land owners back a tourism marketing budget that shows this island as a whole and the amazing place that it is.  Basically the only beach front bohemian scene in Thailand, loads of good food choices, accommodation ranging from basic to luxurious villas, plenty of tours, activities, kite surfing and scuba, beautiful beaches and miles of green mountainous national park.  This island needs to be seen by the world as an ecotourism location with a heavy splash of party.  Alcohol is not cheap in Thailand and the parties in Koh Phangan are not cheap either.  Why would we chase a crowd that only has enough money to get drunk one or two nights spend all their money and be forced to move on with a rocking headache.  It makes no sense.  Its not time for same same its time for different. 

Thanks for your honest insight into the local business environment. As a former multi-year guest on the Island, may I suggest more effort is needed to clean up the beach and roadsides. Moreover, ban garbage fires including at the municipal dump that is polluting the surrounding area with unbreathable toxic smoke. Regards.

[evadgib]

19 hours ago, myshem said:

So good that idiots stay on SAMUI, because KPG is still the best island for someone who likes at the same time some development and desert beaches. I visited almost all Thai islands and beaches, the best one is still on KPG !

Yeah, it's 'orrible 'ere 

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCmYyJaUxYiF5IbLx-0jFXHQ