02/08/2024
Phuket's New Era of Marine Tourism
Phuket is confidently moving towards new horizons, attracting cruise ships from around the world. A week ago, the mega-cruise liner Genting Dream docked in Phuket for the first time, opening up new horizons for tourists.
In its inaugural cruise, the Genting Dream carried 3,700 passengers on the Singapore-Phuket route. The 335-meter cruise liner, registered under the Bahamian flag, is renowned for its luxurious amenities and magnificent sea views.
"This marks the beginning of a new era of tourism," commented Phuket's Deputy Governor Mr. Adul Chutonga on the event.
In June, eight large ships docked in Phuket, opening doors for new opportunities in the tourism sector. Since the beginning of the year, the number of large ships has tripled, reaching 14-17 liners per month. "And this is becoming a trend for the cruise tourism market in Phuket," noted Mr. Adul.
The arrival of the Genting Dream in Phuket's port demonstrates that large cruise ships can now gain direct access to the port, providing tourists with more convenience and opportunities to explore the island.
Genting Dream plans to dock in Phuket twice a month until 2026.
Mr. Adul expressed hope that with the deepening and widening of the waterways, Phuket will be able to accommodate more large cruise liners, increasing the flow of tourists arriving by both air and sea. Currently, around 50,000-60,000 tourists arrive daily through Phuket Airport, and this number is expected to increase to 100,000 per day.
The Ministry of Maritime Transport plans to develop Phuket's deep-sea port to the level of a hub for large cruise ships in the Andaman Sea, attracting even more tourists to the magnificent island of Phuket.
