Veggie fest generates cash

Kasikorn Research Centre estimates tourist arrivals to Phuket, both Thais and foreigners, will increase 16.4% to 270,000 visits and generate Bt5,600 million in cash during the province’s annual Vegetarian Festival, 15 to 23 October. Travel agencies will earn around Bt500 million off tours and activities related to the festival, the centre estimates, but that is way below the earnings for hotels that will be around Bt1,000 million. The centre said the festival will attract more Thais and foreigners to visit Phuket during the nine-day period particularly Chinese descendants from Malaysia, Singapore and Hong Kong. The festival will also attract Thai families during the school holiday that continues to the end of the month. The Vegetarian Festival gives a boost to travel during a usually quiet  rainy season month. Phuket tourism is growing on the back of more direct flights specifically by low-cost airlines from China that will increase services through to March next year. The centre estimates 270,000 tourists will visit Phuket during the nine-day festival up from 232,000 last year. That will include 57,000 Thais. Of the estimated Bt5,600 million in revenue, Bt1,700 million (30%) will go to hotels followed by Bt1,000 million (18%) to shopping, food and beverage; Bt700 million (12.5%) to entertainment and leisure activities such as spa, massage, golf and diving. Another Bt700 million (12.5%) to car and Jet Ski rental and Bt500 million (9%) to tourist attractions and tour programmes through travel agencies.