Indian Visitors To Phuket Climb Into Top 5

The soaring number of Indian visitors to Phuket for the first seven months of 2019 propelled the market into the Top 5 for the first time.

Arrivals from India from January through July compared to the same period in 2018 grew 354%, amassing a total of 186,360.

Mainland China y-o-y figures remain challenged with an 18% decline. Russia also retracted by 3%, and Australia down 1%. South Korea rounded out the Top 5 international source markets with a 3% gain.

Looking at growth, Malaysia doubled year-on-year figures.

Despite a strong baht, the U.K. posted a rise of 36% and Germany 7%.

Diving into total passenger arrivals  at Phuket International Airport for seven month this year vs. same period in 2018, arrivals have retracted by 5%. 

There is little doubt the China conundrum remains central to Phuket’s tourism story, as the shrinking numbers were  just over 1.2 million in seven months, compared over 1.4 million last year.

While all eyes are on India, the reality is Phuket is not the only Southeast Asian market tapping this source as Bali and Vietnam are experiencing fast growing airlift to South Asia.