Phuket Poll: Russian tourists equals “No money, no matter’

PHUKET: In the latest Phuket Gazette online reader poll, asking whether the tourism infrastructure in Phuket is sufficiently developed to handle all the Russian visitors, 44% said it doesn’t matter, because very little Russian money reaches the pockets of Phuket residents anyway.

The remaining responses were evenly divided between those who believe the infrastructure for Russian tourists is sufficient, those who think we need more Russian-focused businesses and speakers, and those who think all we need is more Russian speakers.

When results were broken down per respondent group, a difference of opinion emerged between local foreign residents and Thai residents.

Local foreign residents felt twice as strongly as Thais and tourists that Phuket needs more Russian-speaking staff.

Thai residents, however, believe Phuket needs more than just additional Russian speakers. They outvoted foreign residents and tourists 2 to 1 in saying that Phuket needs more businesses to cater to Russians as well as more Russian speakers.

Of the 1,145 readers who responded to the poll (click here), only 5.5% had no opinion.

For the full poll results, click here.

Do you have an idea for a poll? Contact us with your suggestions (email here).