The increasing cost of air travel to Phuket caused a reaction from the local population touristwith low-cost carriers allegedly charges up to 14,000 baht ($388) for the return trip from Bangkok. Despite booking weeks in advance, some passengers reported paying 5,000 baht ($138) for a one-way ticket.
The president of the southern branch of the Thai Hotels Association (THA), Suksit Suvunditkul, confirmed that the prices of air tickets and hotels in Phuket have been steadily increasing since the end of the pandemic.
According to Suksit, the rising prices can be attributed to the increase in demand during the current high season, mainly driven by foreign tourists, Suksit said.
“International tourists were not disturbed by the high prices because their trips were planned and booked in advance. Airline fares are usually combined in the form of connecting flights from Bangkok, so you wouldn’t notice the price adjustment on domestic routes.”
He further pointed out that the price increase primarily affected domestic business travelers and domestic tourists. Data for this month reveal that foreign tourists accounted for 90% of all travelers to Phuket, while domestic travelers accounted for only 10%.
Chinese New Year celebrations gave a significant boost to the Chinese market, which overtook the Russian market for the first time this year. Between February 1 and 14, Phuket witnessed the arrival of 66,775 Chinese tourists, surpassing 54,908 Russian tourists, it was announced Bangkok Post.
High season
Suksit also pointed out that the main season in Phuket usually runs from November to March, with a peak between December and February. This period generally results in a sharp increase in airfares and room rates due to increased bookings.
However, average prices are expected to drop after April when demand decreases during the Songkran festival. In January, hotels in Phuket recorded an average occupancy of 89.2%, with an average length of stay of 3.66 days per guest.
According to the Civil Aviation Authority of Thailand (CAAT), the regulated price cap for a one-way trip from Bangkok to Phuket is set at 6,561 baht ($182) for low-cost carriers and 9,074 baht ($251) for full-service carriers. However, the president of the Phuket Tourism Association, Thanet Tantipiriyakit, confirmed that no airline was found selling tickets above the set price ceiling.
Despite the increase in prices, Phuket has successfully restored domestic air traffic, reaching almost 130 flights per day. However, the increase in the influx of tourists has made these services insufficient, especially for local business travelers. Because of this, many locals choose to drive to nearby provinces such as Krabi or Surat Thani to catch cheaper flights to Bangkok.
Thanet also expressed concern about the possible negative effects of inflated prices on Phuket’s tourism sector, especially if the quality of services does not match the price hike.
“Our concern is that guests may not return to Phuket if they are not treated with quality services and products.”
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