TAT's Phuket office targets 14m tourist arrivals in fiscal 2014

[webfact]

PHUKET
TAT's Phuket office targets 14m tourist arrivals in fiscal 2014
The Nation

PHUKET: -- The Phuket branch of the Tourism Authority of Thailand targets tourist arrivals next fiscal year at 14 million, up from this year's expected 12 million, the office's director Chanchai Doungjit said.

He added that although it is still the low season, Phuket was a year-around destination and its hotels were enjoying an occupancy rate of 60-70 per cent.

In the high season that starts in November, occupancy will likely exceed 90 per cent, and could reach full capacity.

The first 11 months of this fiscal year that began in October 2012 recorded more than 10 million tourist arrivals in Phuket. The full fiscal year that ends this month could record 12 million visitors.

The office believes that in the next fiscal year the number of tourists will increase to 14 million if there are no negative developments such as political problems.

"We focus on quality tourists rather than quantity. That means our tourists will have the purchasing power to drive tourism income to at least Bt240 billion in fiscal 2014," Chanchai said.

The main customer targets are those who visit the province for health and spa services, golf, seminars, and honeymoons.

To pursue the 2014 growth target, he said the office would hold roadshows and join with the private sector to launch campaigns to lure "quality tourists", especially from Germany and Australia.


-- The Nation 2013-09-21

[TackyToo]

Looks like they will need a lot more tuk tuks, real estate scammer and jet ski over there

The main customer targets are those who visit the province for health and spa services, golf, seminars, and honeymoons.

The only reason I would go there again would be a proper divorce celebration!

Edited September 21, 2013 by TackyToo

[madmitch]

"We focus on quality tourists rather than quantity. That means our tourists will have the purchasing power to drive tourism income to at least Bt240 billion in fiscal 2014," Chanchai said.

What a load of rubbish.

Everyone knows where the additional 2m tourists will come from.

I wonder what the definition of "quality tourists" is? Anyone that can afford to arrive by plane maybe?

Incidentally, B240bn spent by 14m tourists equates to approximately B17,000 per head.

Assuming an average stay of 4 to 5 days that is not exactly a high roller amount!

[ghostwriter2013]

And where have these tourists been? Fake story.....

[LivinginKata]

"We focus on quality tourists rather than quantity. That means our tourists will have the purchasing power to drive tourism income to at least Bt240 billion in fiscal 2014," Chanchai said.

What nonsense. All the new volume tourists are on a package deal. They arrive a charter flight, take a charter bus everywhere, stay in a mid range holel, and spend next to nothing in the local economy.

[NamKangMan]

"We focus on quality tourists rather than quantity. That means our tourists will have the purchasing power to drive tourism income to at least Bt240 billion in fiscal 2014," Chanchai said.

What nonsense. All the new volume tourists are on a package deal. They arrive a charter flight, take a charter bus everywhere, stay in a mid range holel, and spend next to nothing in the local economy.

Yes, that's correct. As these emerging economies gain more and more of a middle class, that's all you are going to keep getting here, by way of tourists.

As far as the local Phuket economy is concerned - there with be no more "high season" for Phuket, because regardless of the time of year, this demorgraphic simply don't spend money, and if they do, it's street food or Big C or Tesco.

The funny thing is, the traditional western market, who can, and do spend money, have left Phuket for other destinations, not due to affordabiliyty, but due to being offered more choice and better service. The added bonus for them is, it also happens to be cheaper.

It's going to take huge changes to lure this market back.

[Ulic]

All I know is if that is the number they are calling for that is the minimum number they will report.

Don't confuse me with the facts, I already have the story I want to report.