Fewer Tourists To Previous Years

[koheesti]

My thoughts for what it is worth.

Samui has some beautiful spots. When it targeted the backpacker type visitors staying in 500 Baht a night bungalows it did well.

Now it only wants high quality visistors staying in 4-6 thousand Baht plus a night resorts.

These people are not happy with crap roads, floods, rip off taxis, high costs to get here etc.

That's a good point. No matter where you are or what your business is, "high quality" customers demand high quality all around. Imagine an upscale restaurant with fantastic food but with overflowing toilets and broken chairs.

[SamuiJens]

My thoughts for what it is worth.

Samui has some beautiful spots. When it targeted the backpacker type visitors staying in 500 Baht a night bungalows it did well.

Now it only wants high quality visistors staying in 4-6 thousand Baht plus a night resorts.

These people are not happy with crap roads, floods, rip off taxis, high costs to get here etc.

That's a good point. No matter where you are or what your business is, "high quality" customers demand high quality all around. Imagine an upscale restaurant with fantastic food but with overflowing toilets and broken chairs.

Which includes better roads as well; in other words a better infrastructure!

Edited June 22, 2007 by SamuiJens

[samuijack]

Do you think there have been less tourists coming to Samui over the last 6 months in comparison to previous years?

If this is the case, what reasons would you give?

Costs of flights to USM, Not enough publicity,

Concern about possible threats or terrorism and unrest,

Negative publicity about Samui and Thailand in general.

Miliatry unelected government, terrorism in the south and bombs in Bangkok, baht up 10% in the last year, high cost of flying with bankokair (8200 baht return) 4 people can fly from Suratthani with asiaair for the same cost.

[SamuiJens]

There should be a ferry from Bangkok with stops at all the Islands, this would be a nice trip and cheaper. And have gambling on board, would be good for the economy and price of fare. Just thinking out loud!

[Jiu-Jitsu]

Most low cost and medium cost places seem to be 80-100% full

Uh, yeah, right...

One reason:

You can, for example, get a package from the UK to Phuket with accommodation included that is cheaper than the airfare alone to Samui.

Are you saying that a couple can get a package deal from the UK to Phuket for £250-£260.

Please tell who is offering such a deal as I will book a package for my folks.

Where did you get a figure of £250 - £260?

Actually, you can get flights from Gatwick to Phuket for £270, maybe less.

A flight to Bangkok will be around £400 plus another £100(or more) to fly to Samui.

Of course, you could fly from Phuket to Samui for another £80(or less).

Edited June 23, 2007 by Jiu-Jitsu

[Shrubbery]

Most low cost and medium cost places seem to be 80-100% full

Uh, yeah, right...

One reason:

You can, for example, get a package from the UK to Phuket with accommodation included that is cheaper than the airfare alone to Samui.

Are you saying that a couple can get a package deal from the UK to Phuket for £250-£260.

Please tell who is offering such a deal as I will book a package for my folks.

Where did you get a figure of £250 - £260?

Actually, you can get flights from Gatwick to Phuket for £270, maybe less.

A flight to Bangkok will be around £400 plus another £100(or more) to fly to Samui.

Of course, you could fly from Phuket to Samui for another £80(or less).

2 Adults BKK-USM-BKK Full fare plus taxes 16,390 Baht = £250 give or take a few £'s.

£270 from LGW will be for 1 Pax.

[Shrubbery]

Personally, I feel Samui isn’t as well known as other destinations in LOS.

If you were to ask the average Joe Bloggs to name 3 or 4 places in Thailand. I’d bet a couple of Baht that they would say. Bangkok, Phuket, Pattaya, Chang Mai or maybe Samui.

I don’t know the cost’s but perhaps the authorities should run a few tv commercials back in Europe specifically pushing Samui. (I don’t live there so I don’t know if they are already).

Maybe even splash out on a charter flight and bring some of Europe’s big travel agents out to Samui to show them what is has to offer.

Just a couple of ideas off the top of my head.

The constant building and other negatives may well be a deciding factor for previous visitors not to return. First time visitors are less likely to be aware of the building etc.

Edited June 23, 2007 by Shrubbery