Tat Statistics For Tourist Visitors To Phuket In 2006

[NBT TV Phuket]

The TAT revealed their detailed statistics for tourist visitors to Phuket in 2006, but they were still less than 2004.

The Tourism Authority of Thailand have disclosed to Andaman News the important numbers of visitors to Phuket for 2006, showing about 4.5 million people, a 79.24 % increase on 2005, just after the tsunami, but still 6.13% less than 2004, before the tsunami on 26 December 2004. They broke them down to about 2.9 million foreigners which was 18% less than 2004 and 1.6 million Thais which was 25% more than 2004. Their average length of stay was 4.52 days, up from 3.56 in 2005 but still less than 4.86 in 2004. Their average expenditure was 3,938 baht, 20% up from 2005, and at least 7% more than 2004. The total revenue was estimated at 77.59 billion baht, a huge 175% increase from 2005, but still 9% less than 2004. These estimate figures are mainly based on the 570 registered hotels who reported figures to the TAT, with a total of 34,297 rooms, and average occupancy of 60.69%. The top nationalities registered were, in order: Thais, Australians, Koreans, Swedes, British, Germans, Chinese and Japanese all over 100,000 in 2006.

from Andaman News TV11 (VHF dial) + Radio Thailand FM90.5 Phuket City, both broadcast to Phang Nga, Krabi & Phuket provinces, 8.30am & later on Phuket Cable TV Channel 1, Tuesday 24 April 2007 & www.Thaisnews.com {Our news text and mini-videos can be freely copied, but give credit to Andaman News TV11 Phuket or contact [email protected]}

[jumnien]

Well, it's great news that things are down. That said, there's still a lot of traffic and prices seem high. Let's hope the rate of decrease in tourists can increase! Makes life easier for all of us who live in Thailand, unless you're flogging property or beer.

[donna]

what about those working in the tourism industry, mdeland? tourism is a huge money spinner for thailand and without it there would be a heck of a lot of people out of work.

whether you like it or not, tourism is a massive industry here and no matter where you go in the world you will not avoid it.

unless you are actually thai, i dont see that you have any real right to make the comments you have made.

[LivinLOS]

Why is one persons comments not valid ??

Just because people in tourist biz and its knock ons like the boom many not in those dont like it.. All they get is increased people, increased hassle, increasing prices.. They suffer those for the benefit of the tourist driven biz's..

I fail to see why thier point of view is any less valid ?

[donna]

maybe i didnt word my initial response the correct way.

I didnt mean to imply that mdelands comment was invalid. of course we are all entitled to our opinion. i did mean to imply that as westerners we are all utilising the tourism industry in some way or another. whether it be in the past before we lived here or not, we have all taken advantage of it.

tourism employs many more thais than westerners, and without the tourists, they would be forced to seek work elsewhere. i am not sure of the numbers, but i would guess that not 1% of hospitality workers in thailand are western. the hotel i work at employs 54 staff. there are 5 foreigners on our payroll. but this is not typical for most hotels in the area. our foreigner contigent is much higher than other hotels.

no offence was intended by my previous comments.

[JimsKnight]

Agreed Donna, but what Mdelands possibly driving at (as are a lot of expats) is that right now, in general, Thailands increased tourism is a major strain and its attracting a 'different' crowd to the old, live and let live bunch. Loud, aggressive and in your face types etc.

The numbers of tourists are getting so much that its turning Thailand into another Spain. It's progress some would argue and brings in the coin for the tourist places but, having worked in Koh Tao and Phuket I know what goes on behind the scenes and the money that gets sent to the tax man is a minisule tip of the iceburg!

Having seen all this, I know that I'd rather patron the non-tourist places and locales than the tourist traps that have swamped the place.

Tourism has its place but all this trumpeting up to the mammoth influx of the samsonite brigade is not a tune many other expats enjoy hearing.

Thailand has more than enough repeat visitors as it is!

[tarzan1]

tourism is destroying phuket - it is getting to the stage where phuket is turning ugly fast at every corner. Pollution, corruption, violence etc

Wouldn't be surprised to see tourist numbers fall in phuket which would be a good thing as most would agree

[borracho]

tourism is destroying phuket - it is getting to the stage where phuket is turning ugly fast at every corner. Pollution, corruption, violence etc

Wouldn't be surprised to see tourist numbers fall in phuket which would be a good thing as most would agree

You weren't here 30 years ago. Sure Phuket was an idilic paradise, but if you managed to get here without being robbed you were one of the lucky ones.

30 years Thailand was awash with petty theavory, there was no Thai middle class to speak of. The baht was fixed at 20 baht to the dollar.

While petty crime still exists, it is nothing like it was.

So wish away for fewer tourists. For that matter I hear Sumatra is the place to go if you don't like tourists. The coffee is good too. Much much better than Thailand.

Generally I'd say the stardard of living and quality of life here now are better than 30 years ago. Sure you have to put up with a few more people and irritating tour busses, but that's the way it is.

Phuket isn't going away nor is it going to become less popular..quite the opposite. Development in Phuket is just picking up steam.