Tourism

Phuket sees 300 million baht boost over long holiday weekend

Published

Monday, November 23, 2020 13:04

The Tourism Authority of Thailand says that Phuket has received a much-needed 300 million baht boost over the 4 day long weekend with around 54,000 tourists flocking to the island from last Thursday through to yesterday.

Phuket Office Director Nanthasiri Ronnasiri, reports that the average expenditure per visitor was about 5,500 baht, which was higher than the average spend for a Thai tourist to Phuket 2 years ago. She also noted that random checks on hotels showed that occupancy rates climbed to about 35%, with most guests staying 2 nights. But most of Phuket’s hotels remain closed.

Nanthasiri also says that many of the tourists concentrated themselves in the Phuket Old Town area, especially around Thalang Road, Phang Nga Road, and Dibuk Road in order to enjoy at the Sino-Portuguese shophouse architecture and historical locations. In fact much of Phuket Town, including its many markets and alley eateries, were doing roaring business, The Thaiger can vouch for the heavy traffic, on the roads and footpaths, over the past 4 days.

“This special holiday made Phuket tourism livelier, even though it was not as same as the situation before the Covid-19 pandemic.”

In fact, despite the welcome surge of visitors, it was still a long, long way from its previous tourist levels with much of the west coast, which has largely catered for the international tourist traffic, was still very quiet in places like Patong, Kata and Karon.

Phuket wasnt the only destination that has profited off of the long weekend as Chiang Mai saw droves of Thai tourists visiting its Royal Park Rajapruek as well as the northern city’s other nearby national parks and tourist areas. Visitors came from all over to see the blossoming of flowers in a beautiful display at the park as well as enjoying the air-purifying flowers as they relaxed. Tourists were able to rent a bicycle for 60 baht if they wanted to exercise while taking in the scenery and could also pay a visit to the orchid greenhouse, which hosts a variety of orchids in bloom. TripAdvisor recommends to set aside 2 hours to visit the park.

Next holiday weekend, on November 27 and 28, Pattaya is expected to get a tourism boost as its annual fireworks festival is set to bring in travellers who have taken advantage of package deals offered by some beachside hotels. Such packages were offered for advance bookings, where holidaymakers could view the firework shows on the rooftops of their hotels. The firework displays are said to be long with breaks of entertainment-packed shows, featuring live music and student bands amongst others.

Phuket sees 300 million baht boost over long holiday weekend | News by Thaiger

SOURCE: The Phuket News

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12 Comments

Terrence

Monday, November 23, 2020 at 2:40 pm

If true, this would be some much needed relief for Phuket. I got sent some photos from Patong, looked pretty empty to me.

Reply
Mike Frenchie

Monday, November 23, 2020 at 4:53 pm

400 billion thb spent last year by foreign tourists in Phuket… Put that in perspective… These 200 million are nothing.

Reply
- christine
  
  Thursday, November 26, 2020 at 3:57 pm
  
  if phukett is doing so good then i dont need to book a holiday there
  
  Reply
TS

Monday, November 23, 2020 at 5:27 pm

I was way off. Last week i said the tat gov’s estimate of taking in 12.6 billion for the “Special Holiday” was a lowball estimate. What a joke.

Reply
- Issan John
  
  Monday, November 23, 2020 at 9:37 pm
  
  I don’t know what you said last week, but I know what the TAT are reported as saying:
  
  “The Tourism Authority of Thailand is predicting 3 million Thais will travel during between November 19 – 22 with an expected 1.3 billion baht in revenue being generated for the industry.”
  
  Reply
Roger Bruce

Monday, November 23, 2020 at 5:49 pm

My friend lives in Phuket she says 54,000 spending 5,500 Baht each is ridiculous and untrue TAT hope to bring more to tourism from fibs and lies she thinks

Reply
- J West
  
  Tuesday, November 24, 2020 at 1:34 pm
  
  Those 18,000 baht per night high season resorts might be rethinking the beach chair and buffet pricing to attract more day trippers. UK airlines meanwhile are adding extra flights to Mexico where there’s no quarantine and All-Inclusive hotels are being packaged for $50 a day one week sun/fun cheap excursions.
  
  Reply
Toby Andrews

Monday, November 23, 2020 at 6:02 pm

They are overestimating how much was taken. How could they know?
They just want to take credit for their efforts in attracting tourists, claiming a big success.
I would not believe a Thai if they said, salt is salty.

.
.

Reply
Edward Gibson

Monday, November 23, 2020 at 7:02 pm

I would not believe 1 word what comes of there laying mouths they are the biggest lies walking on the face or this earth I would really like to know how do they know what people spends there is no way a thai would spend 5000 baht

Reply
Johnmc17

Monday, November 23, 2020 at 9:34 pm

Whose doing the math???

Reply
Geoff

Monday, November 23, 2020 at 10:00 pm

Foreign tourists bring money ino the country. Domestic tourist’s money is just circulating round and round. I’m no financial wizz, but I think,for the country as a whole, foreign tourism is the only option.

Reply
- 7.62mm of darwin
  
  Thursday, November 26, 2020 at 1:10 pm
  
  Nailed it there for sure
  
  Reply