Phuket, Thailand, September 15, 2021 / TRAVELINDEX / Phuket's tourism industry can look forward to a stronger high season as Russian travelers seek to escape the cold winter and soak up the sun in Phuket, a recent webinar revealed. At the event, titled "Phuket Sandbox: Russia's Winter Wonderland," Russian tour operators expressed their belief that many of their clients are eager to return to Phuket. However, they cautioned that several key factors continue to limit the destination's full potential.

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The webinar, held on Thursday, September 9, 2021, was organized by C9 Hotelworks and Delivering Asia Communications (DAC) and hosted by Laguna Resorts & Hotels. Numerous industry experts participated, including leading tour operators, hoteliers, airline executives, and representatives from the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT). The overall mood was optimistic regarding the upcoming high season in Phuket.

Before the global pandemic, Russia was one of Phuket's most important source markets. In 2019, over 700,000 visitors travelled directly from Russia, and although this level is unlikely to be reached again in the near future, hoteliers and tour operators are confident that the coming months will mark the beginning of a recovery.

This assumption is based on the fact that the Thai Ministry of Public Health added the Russian Sputnik vaccine to its list of approved vaccines, effective September 1, 2021. This allows thousands of Russian citizens to participate in the Phuket Sandbox program. Ravi Chandran, CEO of Laguna Resorts & Hotels, described this move as "a huge win for the Sandbox program."

“This gives the sandbox concept stability and continuity and strengthens the confidence of many other European countries – and also other countries worldwide – in the concept when they see that a major player like Russia is participating,” Mr. Chandran explained in the webinar. He added that arrival numbers were expected to increase slowly at first, before “rising significantly in November and December as more airlines begin operating flights.” The first Aeroflot flight is scheduled to depart on October 4, 2021.

To further Phuket's recovery, Khanittha Phanworawat, director of the TAT's Moscow office, announced that her team is now increasing its promotional efforts in Russia.

“The Phuket Sandbox is our main focus in the tour operator sector,” explained Ms. Khanittha. “We presented the concept to Russian tour operators at an event in Moscow in September. B2B online workshops have also connected Thai hoteliers and suppliers with Russian agents, and we have set up a dedicated Russian-language website to provide up-to-date information for travel to Thailand.”

Tour operators expressed hope that Russian winter tourists would flock to Phuket again this winter. Salim Akbas, Product Purchasing Manager (Southern Thailand) at ODEON Tourism, explained that Russia is an excellent fit for the Sandbox program due to the required 14-day stay, which corresponds to the typical holiday length of Russian travelers, and their great fondness for Thailand's beaches and cuisine. The "7+7" extension of the Sandbox program also allows visitors to discover other parts of the kingdom and combine Phuket with destinations such as Khao Lak, Koh Samui, and Koh Phi Phi.

Mr. Akbas emphasized, however, that prices must remain moderate to avoid losing potential customers. “It’s the recovery phase, so hoteliers need to calculate prices correctly. Everyone wants to make a profit, but now might not be the right time. If we miss another peak season, the competition could become too fierce. Dubai, for example, will then be an attractive alternative,” he warned.

Olga Na Takuatoong, deputy managing director of the Russian luxury tour operator Exotic Voyage, agreed that providers must use promotional pricing to drive the recovery of tourism. “Sun, sand, and sea remain top priorities for Russian travelers. They seek warmth in the winter, and Phuket offers them everything they need. During the pandemic, many Russian clients traveled to the Maldives, Dubai, the Seychelles, or other countries. To win back these customers, I recommend that the tourism sector in Phuket maintain promotional pricing and not increase it,” she explained.

With the launch of the Phuket Sandbox 7+7 program and the acceptance of the Sputnik vaccine as an entry requirement, Phuket appears to be taking the right steps to win back the Russian market. However, it is also clear that a price-driven return will be crucial for restoring confidence, and that some travel restrictions may need to be lifted to attract travelers from other destinations.

The Phuket Sandbox was launched on July 1, 2021, and allows fully vaccinated international travelers from over 60 countries and territories worldwide to enjoy a quarantine-free stay in the “Pearl of the Andaman Sea”, provided they fly directly to the island, stay in approved accommodations and undergo regular PCR tests during their stay.

Laguna Phuket, the integrated resort comprising seven world-class, SHA Plus-certified resorts and a wide array of restaurants, bars, spas, boutiques, private yachts, and water sports facilities, has established its own PCR testing center. The resort is nestled amidst 400 hectares of shimmering lagoons and lush parkland, boasting a 3-kilometer stretch of pristine beach in Bangtao Bay. Golfers can tee off on the 18-hole Laguna Golf Phuket course, which was awarded "Thailand's Best Golf Course" at the World Golf Awards. International guests, including Russian nationals, can thus enjoy a safe, tranquil, and secluded stay in the Sandbox area of ​​Laguna Phuket.