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Phuket sees over seven per cent increase in tourist arrivals on 2014
Nattha Thepbamrung


Governor Nisit today revealed that tourist figures have grown on the same time last year.

PHUKET: From the beginning of the year until now, Phuket has seen an increase of 7.69 per cent in tourist arrivals compared to the same period last year. The figures were revealed today (April 16) by Governor Nisit Jansomwong.

"Since January there have been around 4.05 million tourists who have visited Phuket compared to 3.76 million last year,” said Gov Nisit.

“Most of them have been Chinese, whilst other large numbers have come from Australia, Malaysia and Scandinavian countries.

“Along with Songkran, which attracts many visitors to Phuket every year, Phuket Bike Week has also brought many visitors to the island. Hotels and businesses in Patong have seen better business because of this event,” he said.

However, the governor said that the increase in tourist numbers cannot guarantee that overall income to the island will increase, as due to the world economic crisis tourists will possibly spend less whilst visiting.

“We are still lucky that we have domestic tourists visiting Phuket. We can see that a large number of Thai people from other provinces came to Phuket during Songkran,” he said.

He added that he believes business operators in Phuket have put a lot of effort in building up the strength of Phuket̕s tourism.

“I can see that Phuket̕s tourism business operators always create activities or events such as the Bike Week that attract people. This is along with many others events that happen almost daily to drive our tourism forward.”

When asked about the effect on Phuket after the car bomb at the Central Festival shopping mall in Koh Samui last on Friday (April 10), Gov Nisit expressed his confidence that Phuket has very strict security measures in place. He has also urged the government and private sector to monitor their areas of responsibility.

“Crowded places like the airport, bus terminals, piers, markets and malls always have strict security measures in place. Provincial volunteers are also sent to these areas to give support.

“Important places like government buildings and the Ta Chat Chai check point are also well guarded,” he stressed.

Source: http://www.thephuketnews.com/phuket-sees-over-seven-per-cent-increase-in-tourist-arrivals-on-2014-51903.php

-- Phuket News 2015-04-17

[NongKhaiKid]

Standby for a ' we had a bigger increase in tourists than you ' war.

The Minister of Tourism better buy a calculator with an increased numerical display. She'll need one with more zeros than the Japanese air force in order to record all the increases.

[LivinginKata]

"However, the governor said that the increase in tourist numbers cannot guarantee that overall income to the island will increase, as due to the world economic crisis tourists will possibly spend less whilst visiting."

Hooray - some true words spoken in all that other nonsense. Mind you it must be glaring obvious that much of the 'new tourists' are Chinese coach tours that add little value to the local economy, other than budget guest houses/hotels and bus drivers/owners ... and the 7-11 franchise.

[HeijoshinCool]

Over 11,000 new tourists per day?

Does anyone (who has been to Phuket) find that hard to believe?

Domestic tourists? How do they calculate this?

Airport arrivals are firm figures (though some might be residents or business travelers), but where are the facts to back up these claims?

[Pinot]

Tourism numbers in Thailand are always suspect, always. With the ruble crapping out, the military coup, the strong baht and world economy stagnant, tourism everywhere is down. Yet somehow there is a 7.6% increase in LOS?

Living in Phuket I saw tourism down this year over last year. The season started late and ended early, far fewer Russians (thank Buddha).

[whiteman]

another white lie to keep the people happy and in there jobs

[chercheur888]

Tourism numbers in Thailand are always suspect, always. With the ruble crapping out, the military coup, the strong baht and world economy stagnant, tourism everywhere is down. Yet somehow there is a 7.6% increase in LOS?

Living in Phuket I saw tourism down this year over last year. The season started late and ended early, far fewer Russians (thank Buddha).

Who is right?

http://www.nationmultimedia.com/business/Tourist-arrivals-fall-short-of-expectations-30258101.html

[Nobb]

Sound like they are putting lip stick on a pig again!

[Felt 35]

Over 11,000 new tourists per day?

Does anyone (who has been to Phuket) find that hard to believe?

Domestic tourists? How do they calculate this?

Airport arrivals are firm figures (though some might be residents or business travelers), but where are the facts to back up these claims?

Calculate = 1 new tourist make the same mess in their holiday as 10 of the old tourist

[Johnny S]

Thais and numbers ....

[stevenl]

Tourism numbers in Thailand are always suspect, always. With the ruble crapping out, the military coup, the strong baht and world economy stagnant, tourism everywhere is down. Yet somehow there is a 7.6% increase in LOS?

Living in Phuket I saw tourism down this year over last year. The season started late and ended early, far fewer Russians (thank Buddha).

Who is right?

http://www.nationmultimedia.com/business/Tourist-arrivals-fall-short-of-expectations-30258101.html

Your link is about Songkran period only.

[KarenBravo]

Wasn't 2014 a low base anyway? Due to all the protests going on in Bangkok?

[NamKangMan]

Thais and numbers ....

Their ability with numbers quickly improves when those numbers are printed on Thai Baht.

[NamKangMan]

Over 11,000 new tourists per day?

Does anyone (who has been to Phuket) find that hard to believe?

Domestic tourists? How do they calculate this?

Airport arrivals are firm figures (though some might be residents or business travelers), but where are the facts to back up these claims?

"Airport arrivals are firm figures (though some might be residents or business travelers)" - and visa runners, many of whom get counted as a tourists, four times a year, also, those using Phuket Airport as a stop over to another destination get counted, but do not stay on Phuket.

Phuket Airport arrival figures, alone, are not that "firm."