Representatives of the Phuket International Airport are in the process of regestering airlines' New Year flight schedules with the Civil Aviation Authority at the moment to get prepared to the busiest period and avoid flight overlaps that occurred last year.
The governor of the island expects positive effect on the local economy from the influx of tourists over the holiday period. The growing numbers of visitors, though, will bring problems and challenges, too. The authorities are stepping forward with safety measures to ensure tourists' safety during the New Year countdown event. Drones and security cameras will be deployed to monitor tourist locations including beaches, popular walking streets and areas adjacent to shopping malls.
Tourists are encouraged to exercise prudence, drink responsibly and avoid driving when drunk. The week between Christmas and New Year is the deadliest week in Thailand due to a high number of road incidents which often involve tourists.
Last year over 14 million tourists visited Phuket during Christmas–New Year period, spending a total of about 400 billion baht.
Surge of Tourists Expected in Phuket during New Year Period
News in Asia
While many hoteliers have been compaining over an unusually low occupancy rate in the beginning of the high season all over Thailand, a surge in tourist arrivals is expected in Phuket over the New Year holiday.