TOURISM HIGH SEASON IN PHUKET IS LOOKING NORMAL

The high season for tourism in Phuket Province is looking normal this year, as many beaches are now populated with tourists. In the meantime, preparations for the 1-year anniversary of the tsunami tragedy are now complete.

Tourists line the beaches in Phuket, signifying the return of the usual high season. According to the Region 4 Tourism Office, the island received 70,000 tourists in October. Last month 10,000 tourists arrived from Korea alone. Australia Airline starts flying straight from Sydney this month, and this is expected to boost the number of Australians visiting the province.

In the meantime, officials in the province affirmed that preparations for the tsunami 1-year memorial are complete. Public relations, medical units, security, and public utilities have all been geared up.

Source: Thai National News Bureau Public Relations Department - 12 December 2005

For a flavour of the tourism situation here you may like to see reports and interviews broadcast nationwide with recent minivideos at http://www.thaisnews.com/vdoclips_list.php

especially those in bold:

Special Report - Tourism prospects for Andaman region & country

Interview - Simon Barnes, the Chairman of the Race Committee for the Phuket King's Cup Regatta

Young Reporter - Michelle at Rawai Beach

Special report - Phuket International Airport's operation and its passenger & flight figures

Interview - chat with Jutimas Siriwan, the Governor of the Tourism Authority of Thailand

Young Reporter - at Boat Lagoon Marina

Special report - party participants of King's Cup Regatta

Interview - Andy Dowden, Director of Image Asia Events, the organizers of the 3rd Phuket International Marine Expo or PIMEX

Young Reporter - at Cape Promthep Phuket

Special report - 12th Laguna Phuket Triathlon participants

Interview - Gulu Lalvani, the Owner & Developer of the Royal Phuket Marina

It`s good to see that things are getting back to normal

Very good news!!! Let's hope its a record setting high season.

From friends in the tourist business I have been told that even Oct. Nov. was much better than last year, and Dec. is fully booked so it looks like a very good high season, let's hope so.