News that arrivals to Koh Samui surged by 66.65 per cent in 2023, compared with 2022, has been welcomed as a sign that the island’s tourism scene is well on the road to recovery. The end of 2023 was particularly successful, with 207,096 tourists arriving by air to the popular destination in December – a leap of 15.25 per cent on the same period in 2022.
The positive bump has also given more weight to a recent proposal to upgrade the island’s airport with new technology that will make the hub more efficient – able to handle up to 73 flights per day – and more sustainable.
Koh Samui’s tourism sector is seeing a robust bounce back to pre-pandemic levels
Speaking to TTG Asia, Tim Sargeant, co-founder & CMO of Explorar Hotels & Resorts, explained the significance of the development.
“It’s heartening to witness the region’s tourism sector bouncing back robustly. We’re currently surpassing the visitor rates and occupancy levels of 2019, marking a significant upturn not just for hotels and resorts but for the entire local community as well,” he said.
“Today’s travellers prioritise unique experiences in their destination choices, and with the surge in visitors to the island, it’s equally gratifying to see local businesses and communities flourish alongside. Adding to this positive momentum, the recent news about the airport’s expansion plans promises to further boost accessibility and convenience for visitors, heralding a new era of growth and opportunity for the region.”
Jane Soergel, general manager of InterContinental Koh Samui, shared: “We are delighted to witness the remarkable growth in tourist arrivals at Samui. We are also thrilled to note a significant uptick in the number of Chinese travellers returning to the island this year, further contributing to the positive tourism trend. This surge, underscores the island’s popularity as a sought-after destination.”
At present, Koh Samui benefits from a daily schedule of 50 flights. To further elevate the experience for international guests, an expansion of flight options in the near future is encouraged, remarked Soergel.
“We highly support the proposed increase in daily flights and we are excited about the opportunities this presents for the local tourism industry and our hotel.”
Editor’s note: The article has been corrected to show that the airport in Koh Samui will be able to handle up to 73 flights a day, not an additional 73 flights as previously stated.
News that arrivals to Koh Samui surged by 66.65 per cent in 2023, compared with 2022, has been welcomed as a sign that the island’s tourism scene is well on the road to recovery. The end of 2023 was particularly successful, with 207,096 tourists arriving by air to the popular destination in December – a leap of 15.25 per cent on the same period in 2022.
The positive bump has also given more weight to a recent proposal to upgrade the island’s airport with new technology that will make the hub more efficient – able to handle up to 73 flights per day – and more sustainable.
Speaking to TTG Asia, Tim Sargeant, co-founder & CMO of Explorar Hotels & Resorts, explained the significance of the development.
“It’s heartening to witness the region’s tourism sector bouncing back robustly. We’re currently surpassing the visitor rates and occupancy levels of 2019, marking a significant upturn not just for hotels and resorts but for the entire local community as well,” he said.
“Today’s travellers prioritise unique experiences in their destination choices, and with the surge in visitors to the island, it’s equally gratifying to see local businesses and communities flourish alongside. Adding to this positive momentum, the recent news about the airport’s expansion plans promises to further boost accessibility and convenience for visitors, heralding a new era of growth and opportunity for the region.”
Jane Soergel, general manager of InterContinental Koh Samui, shared: “We are delighted to witness the remarkable growth in tourist arrivals at Samui. We are also thrilled to note a significant uptick in the number of Chinese travellers returning to the island this year, further contributing to the positive tourism trend. This surge, underscores the island’s popularity as a sought-after destination.”
At present, Koh Samui benefits from a daily schedule of 50 flights. To further elevate the experience for international guests, an expansion of flight options in the near future is encouraged, remarked Soergel.
“We highly support the proposed increase in daily flights and we are excited about the opportunities this presents for the local tourism industry and our hotel.”
Editor’s note: The article has been corrected to show that the airport in Koh Samui will be able to handle up to 73 flights a day, not an additional 73 flights as previously stated.