Tourism companies in Koh Samui are pushing for more direct flights to the island, as well as improvements in infrastructure and tourism distribution, as the economy recovers from the epidemic.
According to Ratchaporn Poolsawadee, President of the Tourist Association of Koh Samui, only 70% of independent hotels with three or four stars resumed operations during the pandemic due to cash flow difficulties, as compared to hotels owned by an international chain. He went on to say that restoring hotel operations might cost as much as launching a new firm in some situations.
According to Ratchaporn, the number of flights to the island is now limited to 30 to 44 per day, which is less than the pre-pandemic average of 50 per day, restricting the market’s potential. This month, the first Chinese groups arrived to Samui using chartered planes from Chengdu. Nonetheless, due to high airfares, most modern Chinese visitors are most likely independent travelers.
He also asked the public sector to control tourist safety and security measures, such as preventing taxi scams and road accidents, as well as asking for the creation of mass transportation networks, which might attract additional investments in the future.
Similarly, Surat Thani Governor Vijvut Tjinto stated that the province anticipates tourist arrivals on Koh Samui, Koh Phangan, and Koh Tao to return to pre-pandemic levels of 2.5 million this year, owing to pent-up demand and a steady rise in flights to Samui and Surat Thani.
In order to address the labor shortfall, Vijvut said the province is now collaborating with the Department of Employment to recruit workers who left the business during the epidemic. He also stated that Surat Thani adheres to safety requirements and provides security services to tourists, notably during its famed Full Moon celebrations on Koh Phangan.