Phuket Sandbox numbers: 40% went to other provinces - US top list ahead of Brits and Thais. Governor of the Tourism Authority of Thailand Yutthasak Suphasorn revealed the results of a survey and ground down into the numbers after the first sixty days of the Phuket Sandbox were accomplished. ASEAN NOW

file photo: Reuters

 

Governor of the Tourism Authority of Thailand Yutthasak Suphasorn revealed the results of a survey and ground down into the numbers after the first sixty days of the Phuket Sandbox were accomplished.

 

In that time 25,866 visitors came to the southern Thai island (this is now 26,400 in the first 62 days as reported elsewhere on ASEAN NOW).

 

Top ten foreign visitors in the 60 days were as follows:

 

1. US 3,438

2. UK 3,389

3. Israel 2,729

4. Germany 2,072

5. France 2,050

6. UAE 838

7. Swiss 559

8. Netherlands 536

9. Australia 452

10. China 417

 

In addition Thai visitors under the Sandbox scheme numbered 3,335.

 

Top destinations in order after visiting Phuket were Bangkok, Surat Thani, Chiang Mai, Prachuap Khirikhan and Krabi.

 

80% of visitors were 'working age' aged 25-56.

 

58% went back to their country of origin after Phuket.

 

40% went elsewhere in Thailand.

 

69% said their reason for coming was tourism.

 

36% said it was to visit family and friends.

 

69% said they heard about the Sandbox on social media.

 

80% said they were very satisfied and felt welcomed by people in Phuket.

 

85% were satisfied by SHA+ hotels.

 

Top 5 reasons for satisfaction were:

 

1. Transport to and from the airport

2. Booking of airport transport

3. Booking of SHA+ hotels

4. Procedures at the airport

5. Testing procedures on arrival.

 

A TAT survey was carried out between July 11th and August 30th under the heading of "Satisfaction" but for reasons unexplained in the BBN article only 111 people responded.