Long-haul visitor markets and regional business groups are already showing a keen interest in returning to Phuket, says Anthony Lark, president of Phuket Hotel Association. Photo Credit: Getty Images/tupikov
Phuket is pressing ahead to reopen to international travellers on 1 July without quarantine, and just last week, prime minister Prayuth Chan-ocha announced plans to reopen national borders to vaccinated foreigners by mid-October.
“We have no idea how many people are coming,” said Anthony Lark, president of Phuket Hotel Association (PHA), when asked of his expectations of visitor numbers after the destination reopens next month under the Phuket Sandbox model.
With less than two weeks to go until the much-anticipated opening date, Lark concedes that further clarity is still needed for some details. But despite the changing arrival rules and goalposts, the long-haul visitor markets are already showing a keen interest in returning to Phuket.
According to Lark, strong interest has been registered in markets such as Israel, Dubai, Qatar and the Middle East countries, as well as Europe, the UK and Scandinavia. Many potential travellers from these countries have been vaccinated and are eager to travel internationally.
Ravi Chandran, managing director of Laguna Phuket, also notes an uptick in enquiries from these markets, as well as South Korea. “People are waiting to see what happens in July. We expect the pick-up will happen towards end August.”
Lark agrees, adding: “Given the flights and markets that are open where tourists can return without quarantines, hotels can possibly average 20-25% occupancy from July to October. And from November when further rules relax and Europe enters the winter season until March next year, we would love for the figures to go to 40-50%.”
Under the Phuket Sandbox, travellers are allowed to visit the destination without quarantine requirements. However, they must stay on Phuket for at least 14 days before being permitted to travel beyond the island province.
Meanwhile, the sandbox model could potentially drive business travel to Phuket, noted Lark.
“We have been hearing that people in Hong Kong and other parts of the world with business relationships with Bangkok companies that they are planning to meet in Phuket, with their vaccinated counterparts from Bangkok flying in. It might be a little boost to meetings in Phuket.”
For the first batch of returning tourists, Anthony Lark, president of Phuket Hotel Association is confident they will be rewarded with an island experience that is more pristine, sustainable and at even more affordable prices than before.Phuket hotels and resorts have moved to offer flexible cancellation policies, special deals, alongside plenty of add-ons and incentives. More than 300 hotels were awarded the SHA Plus certification, which recognises that the property has taken steps to prevent Covid-19 spread and more than 70% of its staff are fully vaccinated.
High stakes for Thailand tourism
For now, getting the sandbox model to launch is paramount for Thailand’s tourism industry.
Chattan Kunjara Na Ayudhya, deputy governor for international marketing Asia and South Pacific at Tourism Authority of Thailand, reiterated during a recent PHA webinar that Phuket will be held up as a reopening model for the country. “If Phuket fails, other destinations will not happen.”
After all, the Phuket sandbox model wasn’t conceived to reopen the floodgates of tourism, but as “an experiment for the rest of Thailand to reopen slowly and safely to vaccinated tourists in order to generate and stimulate the economy and people’s livelihoods,” said Lark.
“Samui will reopen in October based on Phuket’s trial and errors, likewise for Pattaya and Chiang Mai — and that’s the whole point of the sandbox. We learn to build something in the sandbox and take that and build it somewhere.”
Source: Travel Weekly Asia