The organisation said the restaurant sector in the province is gearing up for the high season, reports the Bangkok Post.
From Jan 1 to Oct 31, Thailand recorded 26.7 million foreign arrivals, a 7.23% year-on-year decline, according to the Tourism and Sports Ministry.
The top source markets were Malaysia (3.86 million), China (3.77 million), India (1.98 million), Russia (1.42 million) and South Korea (1.27 million).
Travellers from Southeast Asia and Northeast Asia markets declined year-on-year. The top sources of tourists from these regions such as China and Malaysia decreased by 33.9% and 6.95% year-on-year, respectively.
In contrast, Europe, the Americas, the Middle East and Africa recorded increased tourist arrivals year-on-year.
Pisut Suttijindawong, Vice President of the Phuket-Andaman Restaurant Club and owner of two restaurants in Phuket, said during the recent Vegetarian Festival he felt the province’s tourism was vibrant.
However, vibrancy in the city centre and Patong area still has not reached last year’s levels and there are fewer tourists, especially Chinese, compared with last year, said Mr Pisut.
He said this year’s tourism high season for Phuket should start later than usual.
Indicators suggesting the approach of the high season, such as high demand for quality raw materials such as seafood products, typically results in skyrocketing prices, but this trend has yet to develop, said Mr Pisut.
However, he said he is optimistic this year’s high season in Phuket will be buoyant.
"I believe there is definitely a high season for Phuket, and the vibrancy will return," said Mr Pisut.
However, he said he is unsure whether this year’s high season, typically starting in November, will extend longer than usual, possibly until April or May.
People have flocked to Phuket for work during the tourism high season, which lifts the local economy, said Mr Pisut.
He also acknowledged the positive impact of the government’s ‘Khon La Khrueng Plus’ (Half-Half Plus’) co-payment scheme on local restaurants as it attracts more Thai diners.