Phuket logs 3.82 million arrivals in first quarter, down 1.93%
Figures presented by the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) Phuket office at a provincial meeting showed total arrivals from January to March reached 3,815,511, down 1.93% year-on-year.
Phuket recorded 3,815,511 arrivals from January through March, down 1.93% from a year earlier, according to figures presented by the Tourism Authority of Thailand Phuket office at a provincial meeting on April 27, 2026. The first-quarter total comprised 1,074,899 domestic visitors, down 0.23%, and 2,740,612 international arrivals, down 2.58%.
Tourism revenue for the three-month period reached B146.13 billion, a 2.18% decline year-on-year. Foreign visitors generated B134.87bn, down 2.28%, while domestic tourism contributed B11.26bn, down 0.92%.
Hotel occupancy stays high despite softer demand
Hotel performance remained comparatively resilient through the weaker quarter. Average occupancy stood at 83.39%, slipping 1.52% but staying at a level officials described as high by industry standards.
The subdued opening to 2026 followed a slower 2025. Phuket registered more than 14.12 million visitors last year, down 2.68% year-on-year, while tourism revenue fell 4.49% to B545.87bn.
Officials said that earlier slowdown was driven largely by international markets. That trend has continued even as domestic demand has been more stable.
Air links and long-haul markets shape recovery plans
Market mix in early 2026 continued to favor long-haul travel. European visitors were projected to account for 52.9% of arrivals, compared with 39.4% from Asia.
Air connectivity remains central to recovery efforts. Phuket International Airport’s summer 2026 schedule for April through October covers 71 international destinations in 34 countries served by 50 airlines, totaling more than 35,000 flights.
Domestic operations include nine routes with more than 31,600 flights from six airlines. New services are being introduced from Belarus on Belavia, Singapore on Thai Lion Air, Chiang Rai on Thai VietJet, Penang on AirAsia and Ho Chi Minh City on Vietnam Airlines.
Officials identified Russia, China, India, the United Kingdom and Australia as the main inbound markets, with emerging and secondary markets gaining importance. Phuket is also using international events, including the Global Sustainable Tourism Conference 2026 and the Baba-Nyonya Wedding Ceremony, to strengthen its tourism profile and draw higher-spending visitors.
Source: https://www.thephuketnews.com/phuket-posts-3-8mn-q1-arrivals-100029.php
