Phuket hotels see solid high season

Strong start to offset dip in Chinese arrivals

- NARUMON KASEMSUK

Despite a sharp decline in Chinese arrivals flying direct to Phuket, hotels in the island could still record a solid high season for January and February with a 92% occupancy rate and average room rate surging 15% to 5,557 baht.

The average occupancy is expected to drop to 75% in March, while the average room rate should slip to 4,483 baht, said Suksit Suvunditkul, president of the southern chapter of the Thai Hotels Association.

He said the tourism market in Phuket is now largely dominated by Russians, particularly those arriving via direct flights.

From March 1-15, Phuket welcomed 72,379 Russian tourists arriving on direct flights, while the number of Chinese visitors via direct flights tallied only 14,113.