16-12-2023 (BANGKOK) The tourism industry in Phuket is anticipating a significant boost following the successful launch of the inaugural direct flight from New Delhi to the resort island province. Air India’s AI378, which arrived in Phuket last Friday, marked the commencement of what is expected to become a daily service, up from the current four days a week.
The positive sentiment surrounding the new route was evident as provincial governor Sophon Suwanrat and Phuket Airport Director Monchai Tanod welcomed visitors arriving on the historic flight.
Lertchai Wangtrakuldee, director of the Tourism Authority of Thailand’s (TAT) Phuket office, highlighted that Indians now constitute the third-largest group of arrivals to the province, trailing behind Russian and Chinese tourists. He expressed optimism that the direct flights would attract more travellers from India, potentially compensating for the sluggish recovery in the Chinese market.
Currently, Phuket sees approximately 1,000 Indian visitors daily, with a total of 235,070 recorded from January to November this year, according to TAT data. Overall, foreign arrivals in the province have surged to 14,000 to 15,000 per day, up from 10,000 in September, with Phuket hotels reporting an impressive 85% occupancy rate.
Patsee Permvongsenee, director of TAT’s Asean, South Asia, and South Pacific department, revealed that Air India plans to escalate its services to daily flights starting next month, compared to the existing four flights per week, each accommodating 162 passengers. She emphasized that the TAT offices in New Delhi and Mumbai are actively engaged in marketing campaigns, particularly targeting golfers and newlyweds. Thailand is also being promoted as an ideal wedding destination.
This boost in tourism comes on the heels of the Thai government’s visa exemption programme for Indian visitors, effective until May 10 next year. Since its implementation, daily Indian visitors to Thailand have increased from 4,000 to approximately 5,000, signaling a robust recovery. The TAT reported that more than 1.5 million Indian travellers visited Thailand between January and December 10, representing a commendable 77% recovery compared to pre-Covid levels in 2019.
The top destinations in Thailand for Indian tourists include Bangkok, Chon Buri, Phuket, Krabi, and Phangnga. The estimated tourism revenue from the Indian market is expected to surpass 65.6 billion baht this year, with an average spending per head per trip amounting to 39,500 baht.
Thanet Tantipiriyakit, President of the Phuket Tourist Association, underscored the significance of the Indian market for tourism operators. He highlighted the short travel time to Thailand from India as a key factor, emphasizing the convenience factor alongside travel regulations like visas. Tantipiriyakit noted that the diverse segments, ranging from luxury lifestyle travel to honeymoons, make India a crucial market for Phuket’s tourism industry.
