New air services drive Phuket popularity

PHUKET- Is Phuket ready to give Bangkok a run for its money as the top tourist draw Thailand?

Australians are among those who appear to think so.

Last month, Pacific Blue launched direct service from Perth to Phuket.

This month V Australia launched non-stop flights from Melbourne.

And next week, Jetstar adds two more services per week from Sydney to Phuket, bringing the carrier’s total number of services per week to five during the busy December and January period.

“Phuket is a perennial favorite among Aussies as an international holiday destination,” said Simon Westaway, Jetstar’s head of corporate relations.

“Adding an additional Saturday and Sunday service makes it all the more accessible.”

Jetstar isn’t stopping with Sydney, either. From December 15, Jetstar Asia launches a twice-daily service from Singapore — services that will connect through to Jetstar’s existing daily Perth-Singapore service.

“I’m not surprised these airlines have commenced direct service to Phuket,” said Craig Fong, director of sales and marketing for Mövenpick Resort & Spa Karon Beach Phuket, site of the inaugural Asia Connect Thailand regional hospitality conference last week.

“I think they all would have started sooner if not for the global economic crisis and domestic political issues last year, which carried forward into this year.

“However, the situation is much more stable and you can see demand is returning to pre-crisis levels. With direct service at the right price point now too, Phuket is poised to realise big gains.”

Traditionally, Phuket’s hotels have relied on major tour wholesalers for their Australian business.

“The online channel represents a substantial opportunity moving forward but you can’t underscore enough the resilience and influence of the major wholesalers,” said Fong.

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