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4 Nov 2005

Tourism

Tourism in Samui: Active, Generating Income of THB14 Billion in 2005

คะแนนเฉลี่ย

Samui has emerged as a more popular seaside tourist attraction since the aftermath of the tsunami disaster. Most travelers have shifted their itineraries from Andaman coastal destinations to those along the Gulf of Thailand. The many favorable factors that have contributed to the rising popularity of Samui include:
  • Powerful earthquakes in a series near the tsunami-ravaged areas have prompted fears of the similar disasters among travelers who have been intent upon visiting seaside tourism venues.
  • The Southern unrest has dealt a blow to the Malaysian and Singaporean tourist markets. Normally, many tourists from Malaysia and Singapore come to Thailand by car. As a result, some of them have shifted to other tourist attractions in Thailand, including Samui.
  • Terrorist attacks on Bali in October 2005 have caused a great number of foreign travelers shun travel to Bali, turning to other seaside attractions in Asia, instead.
  • Samui has gained greater popularity among well-heeled European tourists including those from Japan, Korea, Hong Kong, Singapore, Malaysia and Australia thanks to its many relaxing, pristine beaches and numerous other attractions, plus a wide variety of activities to accommodate travelers.

From this trend, KResearch forecasts that over the entire year of 2005, totally 1.125 million tourists will visit Samui, increasing by 20.0 percent over 2004. Of this number, most of them ? or 85 percent, around 954,000 persons - will have been foreign tourists, increasing by 23.0 percent.

Tourist spending while they are on Samui is expected to create tourism income to the island totaling THB14 billion, increasing by 24.0 percent over 2004. Tourism income will be generated to such businesses as in the following:
  • Most of the income ? or around 36 percent with the value of THB5 billion ? will be for accommodation for tourists, such as at hotels and resorts, with more than 390 places of accommodation and a total of around 12,800 rooms.
  • Eighteen percent, or around THB2.5 billion, will have been income on goods and souvenirs.
  • Sixteen percent, valued at around THB2.3 billion, will have come from income to restaurant and food outlet businesses.
  • Twelve percent ? at THB1.7 billion - will have come from the income to entertainment and recreation businesses such as spas, sports activities like golfing, diving, etc.
  • Eleven percent ? at THB1.6 billion - will have come from the income to tours and local transportation, such as for local tours, rented vehicles, public transportation, rented boats and tour boats, etc

Tourism