Tourism in Phuket and Andamans improves

[Nicke]

PHUKET, June 5 (TNA) – Tourists visiting Phuket and other Andaman coastal provinces are steadily rising as a result of the government’s attempts to revive the industry in the areas affected by last December’s tsunami, the minister of tourism and sports, Somsak Thepsuthin told TNA on Sunday.

The minister made his remarks after tourist operators had complained that Phuket’s tourist businesses were facing a crisis as the number of foreign tourists visiting the island resort island had plunged to ten percent of the usual level.

Private operators always put forward the worse case scenarios, the minister said.

Government officials are now working very hard to revive tourism in Phuket, he said.

Some international airlines which have currently suspended their commercial flights had nothing to do with tourism, Mr. Somsak. These airlines will resume their services after they have successfully controlled their rising operational costs, he added.

The government has organised several activities to promote tourism in Phuket, he said.

For example, the Miss Universe 2005 contest which ended early last week also helped promote tourism to tsunami-hit areas, especially Phuket.

More international sport competitions will be held in Phuket in future in a bid to lure more tourists to the island resort, he said. (TNA)