While tourism across the country has been in a slump from global recession and domestic political problems, hotel bookings on Samui have soared to 90 percent in the run-up to the Chinese New Year.
Mr. Phanu Woramit, head of the Suratthani office of the Tourism Authority of Thailand, said local tourists, along with thousands of Chinese from neighboring countries, would be coming to Samui for the Chinese New Year.
He said 90 percent of the island’s 25,000 hotel rooms are booked. Other nearby islands like Koh Phangan and Koh Tao also had high occupancy rates at the moment.
Mr. Phanu said tourist arrivals on the island had been on the upswing since before the recent Christmas and New Year holidays.
The current wave of Chinese tourists, Mr. Phanu said, could be the direct result of the recent visit to Guangzho in mainland China by governor Phornsiri Manoharn of the Tourism Authority of Thailand.
During her Guangzho visit, Mrs. Phornsiri made a pitch for Samui, along with other places in the country, as a perfect island destination for Chinese tourists, particularly during the Chinese New Year.
Tourism in the country took a dip after antigovernment protesters laid siege on Bangkok’s two airports – Suvarnabhumi and Don Mueang — late last year.
Popularity: 8% [?]