TOURISM
Phuket to welcome 13 million visitors this year: KResearch
The Nation


Tourists on a Phuket beach

BANGKOK: -- Phuket is expected to welcome a total of 13 million visitors this year, thanks to the gradual recovery in the overall tourism industry as well as monthly activities in the island province, said Kasikorn Research Centre.

The arrivals mark an 8.7 per cent increase from last year, the research centre said.

Tourism receipts are expected to rise by 9 per cent to Bt279 billion. In 2013, the receipts expanded by 11 per cent from the previous year.

Phuket this month draws tourists with the Je Food Festival. In the remaining months of the year, the province schedules to host the 4th Asian Beach Games and the Phuket King’s Cup Regatta.

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/business/Phuket-to-welcome-13-million-visitors-this-year-KR-30244088.html

-- The Nation 2014-09-25

Enough already, this constant self praise, self recomendation is sickening enough normally, but in the light of recent events (and the lack of progress in resolving them), its downright deplorable.

Sounds terrific, but I wonder on the demographics of all these new visitors. I suspect many are on a package tour with little input into local businesses such as small restaurants, bars, and the like.

Well one way to find out is see if hotels are full

If not then things like banning wedding on beaches is not good publicity specially if people have already paid for the package

Loses trust of people

How can make future plans coming to Thailand when no one knows if they shall just keep changing the law every 5 minutes

Your welcome have a nice day just leave your money on the table and feel free to leave asap

An increase in tourists???? Where the hell are they then? If anything there are less tourists here than there were this time last year. The other thing they fail to mention is the demographics of the people coming. At present we are seeing Chinese and Russian tourists, but these people do not support local businesses such as restaurants, bars and shops. Most are doing group tours where everything has been organised prior to their arrival. We are definitely not seeing these tourists going out and spending and partying.

KResearch is always as optimistic as the Tourism Authority of Thailand - many times even more so - since they are looking to attract investors. PhuketWan reported 9 million passengers in 2013 - so 1/2 that is 4.5 million - nowhere near 13 mil as numbers will be lower in 2014

Any figures or anecdotal evidence of a decrease in expats or long term stayers as a result of recent visa crack downs, was there actually a major crack down?

Thirteen million suckers!

Increase in tourists ... yeah right, dream on !