Phuket’s tourist bookings looking good – Diversity is the best option Part 3

By The Thaiger

by Guest Writer

 

 

Over the past few months or so, we have read and noted much negativity in the world of tourism to Thailand’s most popular island of Phuket. As everyone is aware, May and June were particularly poor months for most tourism operators and hoteliers with several factors being mentioned to justify the drop which everyone is fully aware of for sure!

 

Questions with regards to statistics were flying around but once you actually break them down into months, nationalities and so on, we were in positive territory from January until April.

 

But statistics published included May and June which gave a different appearance when compared ‘year to date’. May and June were very good months for tourism to Phuket so set a high target to reach this year.

 

A recent meeting here in Phuket was addressed by Mr. Weerasak Kowsurat, Senator and former Minister of Tourism and Sports who advised us that the private sector should start to generate statistics locally.

 

Businesses based here on the island who are directly involved with tourism and can both collect and analyse statistics more clearly and objectively. Collecting data which directly affects the island will be of great help in the future and provide a more defined picture of the actual situation. After all Phuket is a unique island! 

 

A clear example is the number of arrivals into Phuket International Airport. Figures show 60% are now FIT (independent travellers) visitors arriving into Phuket which is an increase but where are the visitors actually going after arriving? – other provinces, staying in Airbnb accommodation, homestays, private homes? There has certainly been a shift away from ‘traditional’ accommodations and some of the previously most popular locations.

 

It has been very positive to hear that from mid-August and especially September figures are now moving nicely with a good pick up of reservations currently on hand. For example, our resorts are now already showing ‘on the books’ figures higher than we ‘closed’ the month of September in 2018 which is very encouraging to see. Traditionally September is one of the quietest months of the year. Some of our Chinese partners have been asking for more rooms as their holiday season starts which is very positive and more traditional ‘low season’ tour operators’ supporters too. 

 

Contracting for the coming high season has been brisk with all now completed and it is encouraging to see the continued increase in request for rooms this coming season.  We have even now managed to secure contracts well into 2021 for some markets and several groups well into 2020 already secured. 

 

It is true that some markets have consolidated their hotel/resort inventories but are confident that guest numbers will remain or even increase on previous seasons.  Guest expectations and requirements too change ‘year on year’ and many tour operators welcome this to ensure they maintain their loyal customers and keep a fresh look in their brochures which encourage new visitors to come and experience Thailand.

 

A definite increase in family accommodation requirements has been seen in contracts this year plus hotels and resorts which have be awarded accredited environmental awards. Movement between beaches too has been seen with some of the traditional ‘round trip tours’ from Europe and Australia looking to try new beaches as their guest mix also changes. 

 

So, time to smile again as we move nearer and nearer to the next high season plus a chance to reflect on the lows of the past months and ensure that everyone works together to welcome visitors ‘safe and sound’ and let them enjoy hassle-free and memorable holidays here in the land of smiles. 

 

Read Part 1 of the ‘Diversity’ articles HERE.

 

And Part II HERE.

 

Source: https://thethaiger.com/hot-news/tourism/phukets-tourist-bookings-looking-good-diversity-is-the-best-option-part-3

 

 

-- © Copyright The Thaiger 2019-08-01

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4 minutes ago, webfact said:

by Guest Writer

Was this written by those folks at TAT?

Arrivals don't mean a thing, spending does.

 

And spending is down, over all tourist groups, and has been on a year on year decline since January.

Here we have an unknown writer whose resorts, reading between the lines, seem to cater mainly for Chinese tour groups.

 

What happened in July last year? After the Phoenix disaster Chinese numbers diminished. So is it any surprise that a year later after assurances from the Phuket tourism authorities that safety will be improved (555), that bookings are looking better? This would also account for the increase in the number of FIT visitors.

 

As for other markets it's a case of wait and see but an island full of Chinese groups on four day stays and the new influx of Indians is not conducive to a profitable high season for many small to medium tourism businesses.

Dream on baby .... pump up the stats ... 

30 minutes ago, madmitch said:

Here we have an unknown writer whose resorts, reading between the lines, seem to cater mainly for Chinese tour groups.

 

What happened in July last year? After the Phoenix disaster Chinese numbers diminished. So is it any surprise that a year later after assurances from the Phuket tourism authorities that safety will be improved (555), that bookings are looking better? This would also account for the increase in the number of FIT visitors.

 

As for other markets it's a case of wait and see but an island full of Chinese groups on four day stays and the new influx of Indians is not conducive to a profitable high season for many small to medium tourism businesses.

Even Chinese are way down, just looking at the boat departures for snorkeling and diving trips.

33 minutes ago, stevenl said:

Even Chinese are way down, just looking at the boat departures for snorkeling and diving trips.

I drove down Rawai this morning at 10-30 still loads of boats parked up recently seen groups of Indians down there 

8 minutes ago, ChipButty said:

I drove down Rawai this morning at 10-30 still loads of boats parked up recently seen groups of Indians down there 

They were selling shirts

18 minutes ago, ChipButty said:

I drove down Rawai this morning at 10-30 still loads of boats parked up recently seen groups of Indians down there 

Yes, still loads, but far less.

2 hours ago, Phuketshrew said:

Was this written by those folks at TAT?

I ignore any article that doesn't have a name attached. 

It's just TAT fluff. 

Seems Thailand has never learned (or even heard of) the old adage "You don't sh*t where you eat"

Friends in pukhet have never seen such a biz, dtop, few are closing, not paying staff, the same in Samui, big nasry joke this report

I'm not in Pattaya at the mo', but best way to see if Chinese tourism is down is to see if the daily re-enactments of Dunkirk has less rescue boats ! Maybe similar in Phuket

Another "report" that has no credibility.  An anonymous report for "our resorts", that means nothing.

If The Thaiger really wanted to be respected, it would investigate honestly for itself.

I intend to believe the boots on the ground as opposed to all these news reports. If people who live there say tourism is down(or up), that's a much better indicator than someone who has a cause.

On 8/1/2019 at 10:44 AM, webfact said:

But statistics published included May and June which gave a different appearance when compared ‘year to date’.

So essentially, the numbers are all crap, but the figures for May and June are not as crap as the rest. And if you compare those figures to 'year-over-year' I presume they are even more crap again.

You cant blame people for trying to put a gloss on this - it is someone's job after all to talk up the industry - but making claims about figures without actually referencing or citing those figures or their sources completely devalues any claims made.

I drove through Rawai last night around 7pm it looked like high season I dont know if people are spending but it was definitely busy