Phuket's Pain: Passengers Slump, Flights Drop

[alanmorison]

An accurate measure of the downturn in tourism comes with the release of figures from Phuket International Airport that show passenger numbers down by 27 percent and flights off a similar figure.

Comparison between 2007 and 2008 reveals a 28 percent drop in flights for the month of August.

That downturn is continuing, with a drop of 22 percent in the number of flights in September so far, up to September 15.

Those figures indicate that the cost of aviation fuel was already having an effect before the declaration of a state of emergency in Bangkok and the blockade of the island's airport over three days late last month.

Airport General Manager Wicha Nurnlop told Phuketwan that the drop in the number of passengers was even greater in the first half of September, with numbers down to 135, 980 from 184,345, a drop of 27 percent.

-- More at www.phuketwan.com

[chiang mai]

Could it be there is a link between the decreased number of flights, the demise of the budget carriers and the reduction in tourist numbers - and is it possible that the political unrest also played a role? We need expert minds to study this one carefully, it might prove tricky.

[keemapoot]

Could it be there is a link between the decreased number of flights, the demise of the budget carriers and the reduction in tourist numbers - and is it possible that the political unrest also played a role? We need expert minds to study this one carefully, it might prove tricky.

Certainly these are all contributing factors. As a result of the contraction of flights, Thai and AirAsia are the only carriers left serving Bangkok with frequency. As a result, fares have gone way up. One to Go have said they will resume in October, but that remains to be seen. Certainly the reduction of competition on the routes have made prices rise as well, and also the fuel cost surcharge has contributed. Flights to Singapore have been reduced as well. Throw in the political problems, and yes, the reduction in tourist numbers is understandable.

BTW, speaking with Thais who own hospitality businesses in Phuket, they are all moaning loudly about the downturn. Many have been taking loans from families and are almost out of options. Everybody is hoping for a good high season.

[chiang mai]

Could it be there is a link between the decreased number of flights, the demise of the budget carriers and the reduction in tourist numbers - and is it possible that the political unrest also played a role? We need expert minds to study this one carefully, it might prove tricky.

Certainly these are all contributing factors. As a result of the contraction of flights, Thai and AirAsia are the only carriers left serving Bangkok with frequency. As a result, fares have gone way up. One to Go have said they will resume in October, but that remains to be seen. Certainly the reduction of competition on the routes have made prices rise as well, and also the fuel cost surcharge has contributed. Flights to Singapore have been reduced as well. Throw in the political problems, and yes, the reduction in tourist numbers is understandable.

BTW, speaking with Thais who own hospitality businesses in Phuket, they are all moaning loudly about the downturn. Many have been taking loans from families and are almost out of options. Everybody is hoping for a good high season.

And it will be interesting to see what high season brings this year, logically speaking there shouldn't really be one in Phuket this year, but, TIT. I spoke with trustworthy friends today who own a real estate business here and have been active and broadly successful for the past seven years - for the first time they are now considering closing up shop and moving back home. On the other side of the coin, I hear from staff at The Hilton that they have three weeks of 100% occupancy next month, India and Italy being the culprits - if we're moving forward alphabetically there's perhaps a chance!

[huggybear]

Could it be there is a link between the decreased number of flights, the demise of the budget carriers and the reduction in tourist numbers - and is it possible that the political unrest also played a role? We need expert minds to study this one carefully, it might prove tricky.

Certainly these are all contributing factors. As a result of the contraction of flights, Thai and AirAsia are the only carriers left serving Bangkok with frequency. As a result, fares have gone way up. One to Go have said they will resume in October, but that remains to be seen. Certainly the reduction of competition on the routes have made prices rise as well, and also the fuel cost surcharge has contributed. Flights to Singapore have been reduced as well. Throw in the political problems, and yes, the reduction in tourist numbers is understandable.

BTW, speaking with Thais who own hospitality businesses in Phuket, they are all moaning loudly about the downturn. Many have been taking loans from families and are almost out of options. Everybody is hoping for a good high season.

The Hilton that they have three weeks of 100% occupancy next month, India and Italy being the culprits - if we're moving forward alphabetically there's perhaps a chance!

I'm with you, optimism baby, lets have a great high season !!

[jts-khorat]

BTW, speaking with Thais who own hospitality businesses in Phuket, they are all moaning loudly about the downturn. Many have been taking loans from families and are almost out of options. Everybody is hoping for a good high season.

Are you talking to the same people who actually applauded the PAD closing the airport and afterwards are openly telling everybody it really was the work of infiltrators from Isaan or maybe green men from Mars? Or maybe you are talking to those people who are still rising prices here while service has shrunk to nothing and are wondering why tourists vote with their feet?

This time, the Thai locals do get not a single bit of empathy from me for their supposed misery.

Finally it is wake-up time that there are other options than tiny, tiny Thailand on the travel map. It would be not a bad thing in the long run if weak businesses get weeded out and only those who give value to their clients make it through (and mind you, I am actually living here on Phuket, so this would hurt me a lot personally).

[keemapoot]

I'm just talking about nice people who've owned legitimate hospitality businesses for years, some of whom were ruined by the Tsunami, and none of whom are political.

Sounds like you have an axe to grind.

[jts-khorat]

I'm just talking about nice people who've owned legitimate hospitality businesses for years, some of whom were ruined by the Tsunami, and none of whom are political.

Sounds like you have an axe to grind.

No, no axe to grind.

But I am getting entirely tired and sick of Thais (and local foreigners alike) always blaming everybody else while the problems are glaring obvious for anybody else, especially the visiting tourists which supposedly should feel welcome and have a good time here.

Maybe the problem is really the current service level. If Thailand and Phuket wants to attract 5-Star customers, why is service 2-Star? The list is endless and well known: where are the beach cleanup crews, why are the tuk tuks still over-charging and parking illegally in sight of police, where is a bus service usable by tourists, and so on, etc.

Granted, there is very little the Thai people can do about events outside of Thailand (tsunamis, market crashes), but they can about local ones (airport closures, violence against tourists).

When they so obviously do not have their act together, my message to them is: stop crying and make an effort.

[mikey88]

An accurate measure of the downturn in tourism comes with the release of figures from Phuket International Airport that show passenger numbers down by 27 percent and flights off a similar figure.

Comparison between 2007 and 2008 reveals a 28 percent drop in flights for the month of August.

That downturn is continuing, with a drop of 22 percent in the number of flights in September so far, up to September 15.

Those figures indicate that the cost of aviation fuel was already having an effect before the declaration of a state of emergency in Bangkok and the blockade of the island's airport over three days late last month.

Airport General Manager Wicha Nurnlop told Phuketwan that the drop in the number of passengers was even greater in the first half of September, with numbers down to 135, 980 from 184,345, a drop of 27 percent.

-- More at www.phuketwan.com