THURSDAY, March 28, 2024
nationthailand

TAT's Phuket office targets 14m tourist arrivals in fiscal 2014

TAT's Phuket office targets 14m tourist arrivals in fiscal 2014

The Phuket branch of the Tourism Authority of Thailand targets tourist arrivals next fiscal year at 14 million, up from this year's expected 12 million, the office's director Chanchai Doungjit said.

He added that although it is still the low season, Phuket was a year-around destination and its hotels were enjoying an occupancy rate of 60-70 per cent. 
In the high season that starts in November, occupancy will likely exceed 90 per cent, and could reach full capacity.
The first 11 months of this fiscal year that began in October 2012 recorded more than 10 million tourist arrivals in Phuket. The full fiscal year that ends this month could record 12 million visitors. 
The office believes that in the next fiscal year the number of tourists will increase to 14 million if there are no negative developments such as political problems. 
“We focus on quality tourists rather than quantity. That means our tourists will have the purchasing power to drive tourism income to at least Bt240 billion in fiscal 2014,” Chanchai said.
The main customer targets are those who visit the province for health and spa services, golf, seminars, and honeymoons. 
To pursue the 2014 growth target, he said the office would hold roadshows and join with the private sector to launch campaigns to lure “quality tourists”, especially from Germany and Australia.
nationthailand