Phuket arrivals dip as four new direct routes set to launch
Via The Phuket News PHUKET — 29 September 2026, Phuket welcomed 9.2 million visitors in the first eight months of the year, a 1.76% decline on the same period in 2025, as four new direct international flight routes are set to launch next month ahead of the high season. Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) figures […] The post Phuket arrivals dip as four new direct routes set to launch appeared…
On 29 September 2026, Phuket saw a 1.76% drop in tourist arrivals during the first eight months of the year, reaching 9.2 million visitors compared to 9.4 million in the same period the previous year. This decline occurred as four new direct international flight routes were set to begin operations next month, experts forecast.
According to the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) figures, Phuket accommodated 9,200,166 visitors from January to August, with 2,409,873 Thai tourists, marking a 0.46% increase from the previous year, and 6,790,293 foreign tourists, reflecting a 2.52% decrease.
Tourism revenue experienced a 0.99% decline, amounting to B356.21 billion, with foreign visitors contributing B328.93 billion to this total. The average hotel occupancy rate during the eight-month period stood at 66.20%.
Russia topped the list of Phuket's primary foreign tourism markets, drawing 661,876 visitors, followed by China (459,218) and India (393,277). Australia ranked fourth with 167,345 visitors, succeeded by the United Kingdom (152,866), Germany (115,795), France (111,701), Malaysia (101,639), South Korea (90,341), and Kazakhstan (86,071).
As Phuket geared up for the high season, preparations for the new routes commenced. Virgin Atlantic planned to commence flights between London and Phuket on October 18, operating three weekly flights. Swiss airline Edelweiss Air would initiate its Zurich-Phuket route on October 25, also with three weekly flights. Kuwait Airways was slated to launch two weekly flights to Phuket from Kuwait on October 27, followed by Belavia Belarusian Airlines, which would commence twice-weekly flights from Minsk to Phuket on October 29.
The enhanced services were anticipated to bolster direct travel options for overseas tourists during the peak season. Tourism officials expressed optimism that the new routes would alleviate demand from overseas markets, consequently benefiting tourism-related businesses such as hotels, restaurants, and other service providers.
Written by urgent.news from Khaosod English's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
