Island destinations in Southeast Asia typically have two seasons: the high and the low seasons. The former usually occurs during the dry season, from November to May, when the sun shines all day, and the latter during the wet or rainy season, from late May to October.
Phuket, Thailand’s premier island destination, has been no exception all these years. In 2024, however, the low-season “myth” was quashed.
According to the country director of the Tourism Authority of Thailand, Lertchai Wangtrakuldee, Phuket officially had no low season in 2024. Numbers show a 16% increase in tourism from May to October, bringing in about 40 Billion Baht of earnings each month.
The secret? According to Wangtrakuldee, is a unique sports tourism strategy.
Numbers Prove Phuket’s Off-Season Tourism Boom
The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) had a target of 440 Billion Baht of tourism earnings for 2024, and by September, this number reached 360 Billion Baht. Projections see the island’s earnings at 500 Billion Baht by the end of the year.
Low or off-season island destinations in the region typically experience lower numbers of tourists and, therefore, lower tourism incomes. But not Phuket, as stated by Wangtrakuldee. The 16% increase in tourist numbers compared to the previous year shows their 2024 strategy worked.
The TAT added the number of tourists and tourism income is even more significant than in the years before the COVID pandemic. In other words, Phuket is experiencing an influx of tourists in 2024 more than any other year.
Wangtrakuldee states that Phuket has become an all-year-round destination, with the ministry organizing various sports events during the off-season. These include regattas, surfing events, volleyball tournaments, triathlon events, Muay Thai boxing competitions, running races, cross-country races, etc.
Kongsak Yodmanee, who is the governor of the Sports Authority of Thailand (SAT), praised the 30th Laguna Phuket Triathlon that occurred in early November in Phuket, having attracted more than 1000 participants from around the world, contributing to the local income of the island.
Sports Events in Phuket’s Low Season
Phuket has successfully established itself as a premier sports tourism destination by offering a unique mix of world-class facilities, stunning natural beauty, and a tourism infrastructure that meets the needs of athletes, federations, and spectators.
Thus, the island is well-equipped to host many sports events such as golfing tournaments, surfing, running races, and more.
Wangtrakudlee mentioned that Muay Thai is becoming increasingly popular among foreign tourists, and competitions lure these athletes and enthusiasts to the island to compete.
Among the sports events organized during May to October in Phuket include the following:
1. Muay Thai Competitions – Muay Thai Boxing competitions are organized all year round since they occur in stadiums such as the Patong Boxing Stadium and the Bangla Boxing Stadium.
2. Phuket International Rugby 7s – Held in June, this event attracts rugby teams from all over the world. Usually held at the Sarakul Stadium, the event features men and women categories.
3. Phuket International Triathlon – The most recent event occurred in early November, where over a thousand participants from all over the world swam, bilked, and ran their way to Laguna Phuket.
4. King’s Cup Regatta – Usually held in July, it is a smaller regatta compared to the events in December, but sailors enjoy it because of the challenging monsoon winds. Held at Phuket’s Ao Chalong Bay, it’s an event in honor of the country’s royalty.
5. Phuket Marathon – A June/July event, the Phuket Marathon offers different categories, from full marathon to half-marathon, 10k, and 5k. The event attracts runners from various skill levels worldwide, and the route takes them through villages, mountains, and beaches, giving the runners scenic views.
6. Other Events – Other sporting events during low seasons in Phuket include international volleyball competitions held in Patong, Kata, and Karon, open golf tournaments held at the Blue Canyon Country Club and Phuket Country Club, surfing events when the waves are more significant, and other water sports competitions.
The TAT showed Phuket welcomed fewer tourists during the low season than other provinces. Chon Buri, for example, had 19 million visitors from May to October, while Phuket only had 9.6 visitors. However, regarding tourism income, Chon Buri had 200 Billion Baht, while Phuket had 360 Billion Baht, showing that tourism spending is significantly higher.
Because of this, the island is shown to have no low season (according to the TAT); therefore, accommodations and luxury villas in Phuket are seen to be in demand all year round.
Whether you visit in the high or low season, there’s always something to see and do, making it an island destination worth visiting no matter what time of the year.
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Featured Image: airportthai.co.th
The Luxury Signature represents and manages reservations of the finest villa rentals in Southeast Asia, specializing in some of the most stunning destinations including the islands of Phuket and Samui in Thailand, and Bali, Indonesia.
