They’re back! Tourist numbers double in June

PHUKET: The latest figures on arrivals and departures at Phuket International Airport indicate that people are beginning to travel again in substantial numbers. The total of international passengers landing and leaving the island increased by 133% in June compared to May. June saw 602 international flights come and go, carrying 74,354 people, compared to the previous month when 31,806 people arrived and left on 538 flights. Numbers are still down on this time last year, but not by much. In June 2002, there were a total of 1,612 domestic and international flights – 6.14% more than the 1,513 flights in June this year. Napasorn Kakai, Deputy Director of the local Tourism Authority of Thailand office, said, “It’s gradually getting better. Hotels are now calling their employees to come back to work.” That optimistic view was reflected by Phuket Tourist Association President Pattanapong Aikwanich who said, “It’s getting better now. There are more bookings in hotels for tours from Taiwan, China and Hong Kong. “Around the middle of next month, more Japanese will be coming, too, because it’s their holiday season,” K. Pattanapong said.