Phuket awaits Russian, Chinese rebound
Russian and Chinese tourist arrivals to Phuket are expected to rebound this year thanks to improving tourism sentiment, says hospitality market researcher and consultant C9 Hotelworks Co. Managing director Bill Barnett said Russian tourists are starting to return to a normal level while Chinese travellers are coming back as the impact from the zero-dollar tour crackdown fades. According to C9 Hotelworks’ Phuket Hotel Market Update in February, the Russian tourist market saw a big improvement, with their arrivals surging 51% last year, thanks to the strengthening of the rouble against the baht. Moreover, the political unrest in the Middle East prompted Russian tourists to shift their travel plans to Phuket during the high season.
