 |
|
 |
| TRAVEL & TOURISM |
|
|
|
Phuket, Pearl of the Andaman, remains star attraction in
southern Thailand
Tourism in Thailand’s southern region, particularly in
the resort town of Phuket, widely known as the Pearl of the Andaman Sea,
remains bright and positive, according to the Thai Hotels Association (THA).
Krisada Tansakul, president of the THA Southern Chapter, said the political
crisis has not hindered tourism in Phuket which has enjoyed continued growth
since early this year.
He said hotel occupancy will drop slightly after the Songkran festival but
tourists from neighboring countries including China, Australia, Singapore
and Malaysia will continue coming, contributing to an overall positive trend
for the entire year.
Hotel bookings this year have improved compared to last year and a survey by
the THA Southern Chapter found a 60-70 percent occupancy rate for three- and
four-star hotels, he said.
He said the association has cooperated with tourism-related businesses in
penetrating overseas markets by organizing road shows to Beijing, Shanghai
and other Chinese cities late this month, and to Sapporo, Hokkaido of Japan
in June.
There will be major events during the year-end high tourism season, he said,
adding that many tourists fly directly to Phuket without making a stopover
in Bangkok. (MCOT)
|
|
 |
|
|
 |
|
