Phuket received 4.9 million tourists in first four months, down 2.08%
Phuket logged 4.9 million visitors and B186.9 billion in tourism revenue from January to April, with both arrivals and income slightly down year-on-year.
Phuket received 4,901,975 visitors from January to April this year, down 2.08% from the same period a year earlier, according to figures presented by the Tourism Authority of Thailand Phuket Office at a provincial meeting on Tuesday, May 26.
The total included 1,358,255 domestic tourists, down 0.63%, and 3,543,720 international tourists, down 2.62% year-on-year.
Tourism revenue for the four-month period totalled B186.9 billion, a decline of 2.72% from a year earlier. Thai tourists generated B14.54 billion, while foreign visitors accounted for B172.36 billion.
Despite the drop in arrivals and revenue, Phuket's average hotel occupancy rate remained at 81.85%, indicating continued demand for accommodation across the island.
The report said Phuket's top 10 international visitor markets were Russia, China, India, the United Kingdom, France, Germany, Australia, Kazakhstan, South Korea and Malaysia. Officials noted particularly strong growth from the Indian and South Korean markets compared with last year.
Phuket International Airport currently serves 71 international destinations in 34 countries. During the reporting period, 50 international airlines operated more than 35,128 flights, while domestic services covered nine destinations operated by six airlines with more than 31,655 flights.
New routes being introduced this year include Singapore-Phuket flights by Thai Lion Air, Chiang Rai-Phuket flights by Thai Vietjet, Penang-Phuket flights by AirAsia, and Ho Chi Minh City-Phuket flights by Vietnam Airlines. Virgin Atlantic is also scheduled to begin direct London Heathrow-Phuket services later this year.
Marine tourism also remained active in the first four months of the year, with 46 cruise ships bringing more than 116,021 passengers to Phuket and 352 yachts docking at the island.
