Phuket Visitor Numbers Slip as Four New Airlines Arrive
Phuket's visitor numbers declined 2.52% among foreign tourists through August 2026, though four new international airlines are launching routes in October to reverse the slowdown.
Phuket received 9.2 million visitors from January through August 2026, according to Tourism Authority of Thailand figures presented at a provincial administration meeting on September 28. The total comprised 2.4 million Thai tourists, up 0.46% year-on-year, and 6.8 million foreign tourists, down 2.52%. Tourism revenue fell 0.99% to 356.21 billion baht, with foreign visitor spending accounting for 328.93 billion baht of the total.
Russia remained Phuket's largest foreign market with 661,876 visitors, followed by China (459,218) and India (393,277). Australia, the United Kingdom, Germany, France, Malaysia, South Korea and Kazakhstan rounded out the top ten markets. The average hotel occupancy rate for the period was 66.20%.
Four new direct international routes are set to launch in October to boost visitor arrivals during the high season. Virgin Atlantic will begin London-Phuket service on October 18 with three weekly flights, followed by Swiss airline Edelweiss Air launching Zurich-Phuket flights on October 25, also three times weekly. Kuwait Airways will operate Kuwait-Phuket service starting October 27 with two weekly flights, and Belavia Belarusian Airlines will begin twice-weekly Minsk-Phuket flights on October 29. Tourism officials expect the new routes to expand travel options, accommodate growing overseas demand, and benefit hotels, restaurants and related businesses.
