PHUKET: Tourism in this resort island province is bouncing back with revenue now above 50% of the pre-pandemic level, says the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT).
The island expects to welcome 12 million visitors this year, said Nanthasiri Ronnasiri, director of the TAT Phuket office.
Phuket reported 9.2 million tourist arrivals from January to December last year, with Thai tourists accounting for 53.6% and foreign tourists the rest. The number of foreign tourist arrivals has been high since October due to the easing of entry restrictions, she said.
In 2022, Phuket made 233.38 billion baht in tourism revenue or 58% of the revenue earned before the Covid-19 pandemic in 2019. In that year, annual tourism revenue stood at 400 billion baht, she said. Of the total revenue last year, more than 70% came from foreigners.
The average hotel room occupancy rate was 42.5% last year. Currently, the rate is 80% out of 101,221 available rooms.
Among foreign arrivals last year, Russians formed Phuket’s biggest tourist contingent. As for Thai tourists, many arrived during long holidays.
This month, Phuket welcomed the first three flights of tourists from China. Most were Free Independent Travellers — visitors who travelled without tour groups.
“In 2023, the TAT has set its target for foreign tourist arrivals at 23 million,” said Ms Nanthasiri. “Phuket welcomed 9 million Thai and foreign visitors in 2022, and this year’s target is 12 million.”