AMID fears of losing business opportunity during the high season that starts next month, Koh Samui Tourism Promotion Association called for increased local and international flights to meet the needs of foreign tourists eager to travel to the resort island, Matichon newspaper said this afternoon (Nov. 23).
Mr. Ratchaporn Poolsawat, the association’s president, said tourism is booming on the island with this sector expected to draw 3 billion baht revenue in December, the start of the high season that lasts till February. Moreover a cruise ship is arriving on Nov. 27.
A big boost came from a readers survey on top 10 Asian islands conducted by Condé Nast Traveler magazine with Koh Samui placing third after Boracay Island, the Philippines, and Bali Island, Indonesia.
More hotels have now reopened and likewise many public bus operators who had cancelled their registration during the Covid-19 pandemic have now again listed their vehicles with the Land Transport Department.
While many hotels have registered 80-90% booking rate, there are still some three- to five-star hotels that could accommodate more tourists.
The problem hoteliers have encountered is that flights to the island during the peak season are now almost completely booked.
For this reason they urged international airlines to increase the number of flights.
Locally only Bangkok Airways flies to Koh Samui and the management was urged to add one or two extra flights on fully-booked days.
Air fare pricing is not a problem as foreign tourists coming to the island have relatively high spending power. However Bangkok Airways was urged to launch low-cost flights for Thai people.
CAPTIONS:
Top: Koh Samui sunset. Photo: Steve Jurvetson (CC BY 2.0)
Front Page: Koh Samui’s Lamai Beach. Photo: Fabio Achilli (CC BY 2.0)
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