Asian Beach Games 'to inject Bt100m into Phuket tourism'
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The 10-day Asian Beach Games event that kicked off yesterday is expected to generate Bt100 million for hotel and tourism businesses in Phuket, according to Ittirit Kinglake, president of the Tourism Council of Thailand.
The TCT expects a 10-per-cent increase in tourist arrivals during the Games compared with the same period last year.
About 2,400 athletes from 43 Asian countries are arriving in Phuket for the fourth Asian Beach Games, which will feature 26 sports. The Games will run until November 23.
Opening ceremony
The opening ceremony took place yesterday at the Saphan Hin Sports Centre. Privy councillor and royal representative General Surayud Chulanont presided over the event, while Olympic Council of Asia president Sheikh Ahmad Al-Fahad Al-Sabah attended as the guest of honour.
Downtown Phuket and all six venues – Patong Beach, Karon Beach, Nai Yang Beach, Bang Niao Dam, Chaofa Mine and Saphan Hin – began bustling as athletes and officials started arriving, according to the Games’ official newsroom.
Ittirit said the authorities had tightened security for the competition. Tourism-related businesses have been urged to beware of unusual objects or suspicious persons in order to prevent crime.
He said many Phuket hotels were running slightly higher occupancy rates than normal for this time of year, at 85-90 per cent. Occupancy rates during the November-December high season are usually in the range of 80-90 per cent.
