The Final Confirmed Numbers Of Tourists In Phuket During 2005 Showed A Disappointing Outcome.

The Tourism Authority of Thailand or TAT Bangkok have just informed us of the final confirmed tourist arrival numbers and figures for last year 2005, which was badly affected by the aftermath of the December 2004 tsunami. In Phuket, there were 2,510,276 total visitors or 47.63% less than the previous year 2004, when 4,793,252 came. They were divided into 1,188,621 Thais who were only 8.26% less than 2004, while there were 1,321,655 foreigners or 62.21% less than 2004. The total average length of stay reduced to only 3.56 days or 26.74% less than 2004 when it was 4.86 days. Foreigners only stayed 0.7 of a day more than Thais.

The total average expenditure was 3,290.55 baht per person per day, down 10.32% on 2004 when it was 3,669.17 baht. Foreigners spent 1,303 more baht than Thais per day.

The estimated revenue was perhaps the most dramatic decline: only 28.181 billion baht in 2005, a drop of 67.10% from 85.670 billion baht in 2004. The number of accommodation establishments dropped to 528 from 579, with 31,488 rooms occupied at only 34.60% compared to 65.47% in 2004.

from Andaman News TV11 + Radio Thailand FM90.5 Phuket City, both broadcast to Phang Nga, Krabi & Phuket provinces, 8.30am Wednesday 24 May 2006 & www.Thaisnews.com

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