Seaplane terminal boosts tourism in Phuket

Airports of Thailand (AOT) announced Thailand’s inaugural seaplane terminal, slated to grace Phuket International Airport.

AOT’s visionary project aims to meet the demand for coastal tourism, taking reference from the Maldives. The ambitious initiative involves a comprehensive study to bolster tourism links between Phuket and the Andaman islands and beaches while concurrently enhancing the airport’s capacity.

With the study, encompassing project intricacies and an environmental impact assessment (EIA), scheduled for completion this year, the stage is set for an exciting transformation. Anticipation is building as bidding for the terminal’s construction is set to kick off early next year, promising a significant expansion of Thailand’s coastal tourism sector.

AOT Chairman, Police General Visanu Prasattongosoth highlighted the nature of the initiative.

“This will mark the inauguration of Thailand’s first-ever seaplane terminal, ushering in a new era for coastal tourism.”

Identifying Phang Nga province and Samui Island in the Gulf of Thailand as ideal locations for future seaplane terminals, Visanu hinted at the potential surge in tourist traffic between Phuket and sought-after Gulf resorts like Samui, Pattaya, and Hua Hin, reported The Nation.

Expressing confidence in the project’s allure, AOT President Kerati Kijmanawat revealed that airlines were already buzzing with interest.

“We’re receiving enthusiastic inquiries, and multiple airlines have reached out for further details, underlining the strong positive response we anticipate from both airlines and tourists alike.”

In related news, in a bid to elevate Phuket‘s status on the global luxury stage, the Thailand International Boat Show A Luxury Lifestyle Event showcased a spectacular line-up of yachts, private jets, and more. This high-profile event aimed to inject 500 million baht into Phuket’s economy, drawing in a crowd of High Net Worth Individuals and sparking a wave of excitement in the marine leisure and luxury lifestyle industries.

In other news, Surat Thani province’s popular resort island Koh Samui is expecting a significant boost in tourism this year, with 47 cruise liners set to dock and unload around 25,000 international travellers, according to the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT).