Phuket Tourism On High Ground

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Phuket tourism on high ground

WE'RE FINE: Phuket Tourist Association (PTA) Vice President for Marketing

Bhuritt Maswongsa says floods in Bangkok may well be providing a boost

to Phuket tourism. Photo: Warisa Temram

PHUKET: -- Tourism in Phuket will not be negatively affected by flooding in other parts of Thailand – in fact, the industry is doing better than last year, according to Phuket Tourist Association (PTA) Vice President for Marketing Bhuritt Maswongsa.

“The flood disaster is not affecting Phuket tourism because most of Phuket’s tourists come from abroad – there are more than 40 direct flights from overseas to Phuket,” Mr Bhuritt said.

“The outlook for this year is better than in 2010. Right now, hotel booking rates are at about 75 per cent for November – but we expect it to rise to about 80 per cent. And, already, the booking rates for December are more than 90 per cent,” he said.

Mr Bhuritt also expects no decline in the domestic tourist market. He anticipates that many seminars that were planned to be held in Bangkok will be relocated to other places such as Phuket.

“Phuket is a convenient domestic transportation hub with direct flights from Chiang Mai, Udon Thani and Bangkok,” he pointed out.

However, there will be problems with tourist markets from European countries with troubled economies such as Greece, Italy and Spain, he said, as tourists from those countries will likely take shorter holidays.

The PTA and the Phuket Provincial Administration Organization have been coordinating events to promote Phuket tourism for new target groups such as 'Benelux' countries (Belgium, Netherlands and Luxembourg) and the “Nordic group”, which includes Denmark, Norway, Finland and Sweden.

There will be an increase in the number of tourists visiting from those countries after Thai Airways begins operating three weekly direct flights on November 12 from Copenhagen, Denmark to Phuket, Mr Bhurrit said.

Source: http://www.phuketgazette.net/news/detail.asp?id=11306

-- Phuket Gazette 2011-10-27

[BarryM]

Well that's good news. Bangkok may be about to become a disaster zone, flooded by 1-2 meters of water mixed with raw sewage, 50 years of unregulated industrial waste, the rotting carcasses of thousands of decomposing animals, snakes and crocodiles with the last dry patches occupied by packs of stray underfed and diseased dogs. Its population at risk of Cholera and various ailments to which the elderly and children will be particularly vulnerable - made worse by uncertain access to safe drinking water, shelter or food. But at least the Banyan Tree Pool Villas will be busy and life can go on as normal (as long as you have the 800 US ++ a night to spare).

[madmitch]

Usual occupancy statistics taken from a small number of hotels who claim occupancy rates based on tour company allocation and not numbers actually staying.

I expect to see the same pattern as that following the closure of Suvarnabhumi with a short term rise in occupancy rates with tourists opting to avoid Bangkok followed by a bit of a slump as those advance bookers who may have chosen Thailand decide to go elsewhere.

Of course the demographic in Phuket has changed dramatically in the relatively short time since then so maybe it'll be different this time.

[Orac]

Well that's good news. Bangkok may be about to become a disaster zone, flooded by 1-2 meters of water mixed with raw sewage, 50 years of unregulated industrial waste, the rotting carcasses of thousands of decomposing animals, snakes and crocodiles with the last dry patches occupied by packs of stray underfed and diseased dogs. Its population at risk of Cholera and various ailments to which the elderly and children will be particularly vulnerable - made worse by uncertain access to safe drinking water, shelter or food. But at least the Banyan Tree Pool Villas will be busy and life can go on as normal (as long as you have the 800 US ++ a night to spare).

Tourism is a huge business in Thailand and the GDP figures do not really give an accurate impression of its importance. Every tourist dollar will be fought over and the PR machines will be wound up to their maximum to prevent long term damage. Did you see the earlier Foreign Office release which pretty much was still saying Bangkok was fine for tourists still:

In & Around Bangkok:

--Transportation from Suvarnabhumi Airport into central Bangkok including taxis, buses and the Airport Link have not been affected by the floods and are operating normally.

-- Transportation in most areas within central Bangkok including taxis, tuk-tuks, the BTS and the MRT are also operating normally.

-- In the areas affected by flooding, public transportation is being rerouted in some areas and the availability of taxis is limited.

[Galong]

But at least the Banyan Tree Pool Villas will be busy and life can go on as normal (as long as you have the 800 US ++ a night to spare).

Yep, that's the only place to stay in Phuket. There are no budget accommodations or mid-range guesthouses/hotels. Phuket is just for the elite... no riff raff (99%ers) allowed.