Airport completion fails again – this time mooted for December

Posted on May 17th, 2016

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Completion of construction work on the new international terminal at Phuket Airport has been pushed back to September, admits Airports of Thailand Plc President Nitinai Sirismatthakarn in an exclusive interview with the Phuket Gazette last week.

Mr Nitinai was in Phuket to ‘assess progress’ with the new terminal but could not give a fixed date for the opening.

“We hope to open the new terminal by the end of September at the latest, at least in time for the National Day of the People’s Republic of China on October 1,” said Mr Nitinai.

Mr Nitinai said the delay was due to the need to test all the new systems for at least two months ahead of opening the terminal to ensure that all were working perfectly.

“There are nine computer systems in total that need to be fully operational by the time the terminal opens, such as baggage handling, announcement systems and security systems. Seven of those systems are in place but we are waiting to finalize concessions on two of the less critical ones,” he said.

The biggest challenge will actually be phase three of the expansion, which is the renovation of the existing terminal to become a fully operational domestic terminal.

“Work on renovating the domestic terminal will only begin once the international terminal is complete. Then we will need to partially close the domestic terminal for the renovation while continuing to be fully operational.”

While the new international terminal will increase the airport’s capacity to handle 12.5 million passengers a year, the president admitted that the airport is already dealing with close to that number and it won’t be until completion of phase three that the airport will be ready to handle more.

“Once phase three is complete and the domestic terminal is fully operational, the airport will be able to handle up to 18 million passengers a year.”

Renovation of the domestic terminal is scheduled to take 330 days exactly.

Any further expansion of the domestic terminal building will not be possible due to the limitations of the land on which Phuket Airport is built. The only options remaining for further airport development would be extension into the sea or removal of the surrounding hills, he said.

Asked how the airport will ever solve the now decades-old problem of passengers being ripped off by Phuket’s notorious taxi drivers, Mr Nitinai said a similar approach to that now in place at Bangkok’s Suvarnabhumi Airport could be used. There, security staff stop taxis that have picked up passengers but still have their red light on, indicating that they have not turned on the meter.

“The mass transit system planned for Phuket [with no completion date as yet] will stop outside the airport so that will be a good alternative to taxis,” he said.

This article first appeared in the May 14-20 issue of the hard-copy Phuket Gazette newspaper.

Digital subscribers may download the full newspaper, this week and every week, by clicking here –

Emirates adds seventh daily flight to Bangkok

Posted on May 16th, 2016

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Emirates will continue to increase capacity to Thailand this summer, with the launch of its seventh daily flight to Bangkok.

Commencing on 1 July 2016, the new service will depart Dubai at 1950 and arrive at Bangkok’s Suvarnabhumi Airport at 0510 the following day. The return flight will then leave the Thai capital at 0635 and arrive back in Dubai at 0950.

These timings will enable onward connections to destinations including London, Frankfurt, Lisbon, Istanbul, Madrid and Barcelona.

The addition of a seventh daily flight makes Bangkok one of the most well-served destinations in Emirates’ global network, on a par with Kuwait and Doha.

The new service will be operated using a Boeing 777-300ER aircraft, and joins two existing B777 flights and four daily Airbus A380 services.

Thailand Yacht Show dates announced

Posted on May 12th, 2016

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The dates for the second edition of the Thailand Yacht Show (TYS) have now been confirmed for December 15-18, with the massive event to be held once again at Phuket’s prestigious Ao Por Grand Marina.

In making the announcement, managing director Andy Treadwell of show organizers SYE Pte Ltd, noted that as a joint venture with the Government of Thailand it was important for the show to avoid clashing with the dates for the King’s Cup Regatta (December 3-10). He also said that most stakeholders in the show agreed that “there is a better chance of getting more of our targeted high net worth visitors from overseas to come to Phuket just before the holiday period really starts.”

He noted that the organizers had been working hard to coordinate with various Thai Government departments, along with other major participants in the industry, “to attract many more of the Mediterranean-based charter yachts to Thailand for the winter instead of [seeing them] going to the Caribbean.” Thus, “it would not make sense in the long term to hold the [Thailand Yacht] show right in the middle of the international charter season,” he said.

He said that the organizers would soon announce “two or three exciting ancillary events” which would turn the show into a major festival of yachting and boating, and noted that because it comes right on the heels of the King’s Cup, the TYS would now attract even more international visitors than it did to the show’s launch edition in February this year.

Walking tour of Phuket Old Town

Posted on May 10th, 2016

Category: Absolute Hotels Absolute Resorts

The Sino Portuguese Phuket Old Town is often neglected by visiting tourists who flock to Thailand’s largest island in search of the three “S”: sand, sun and sea. And that is a shame, for this heritage rich area is easily explored on foot and it is filled with enough cafes to save you from the heat. Don’t miss it next time you visit and make sure to make time for a walking tour of Phuket Old Town.

Phuket was a famous tin-mining center before it became Thailand’s most popular island. Traders from Europe, China, Arabia and Asia all gathered to exchange spices and goods for tin and rubber which the island exported.

The Hokkien Chinese brought with them the shophouse architecture so famous of other Chinese influence cities like Penang in Malaysia or Singapore, and that style blended with the European architecture of the time to produce colourful and beautiful buildings that today line the main streets of old Phuket Town.

Start off your walking tour of Phuket Old Town with a cool drink at White Chalk. This cute cafe filled with llama teddy bears serves all sorts of homemade drinks and it is a good place to start off with a fresh mind. Their take-away sodas, if slightly sweet, are great to help you fight Phuket’s heat. From there, wander down to Pud Jor Shrine. Phuket Old Town has a lot of Chinese shrines but this one is particularly important because it enshrines the statue of Guanyin Goddess (Pud Jor), an important deity in Mahayana Buddhism.

"On On Hotel"

Slightly retrace your steps back to The Memory at On On Hotel, made famous by the opening scenes from the movie The Beach. This historical hostel is filled with artefacts from the tin mining booming years. The moment you enter the lobby area you are transported to an era gone by. Opened in 1929, this is Phuket’s oldest hotel and one of the most affordable. You can book a private room for USD35 or a bed in their dorms for much less. The ground floor has a silk and textile shop that would make for great souvenirs. On On Hotel was owned by a famous tin merchant and this was the hotel where Chinese traders used to stay.

Continue towards China Inn. This vintage furniture store, the front cafe sitting area and the Feng-shui inspired backyard are beautifully maintained with Chinese lacquerwork, fabrics and old fans filling the air. The owners took three years to refurbish and restore this ancient shophouse to its former glory. Stay for coffee to take it all and have another break if the heat of the day has got to you.

"Old Phuket Town Thai Hua Museum"

Down the street is Thai Hua Museum, a beautiful colonial building. Thai Hua opened in 1917 as the first Chinese language school in Phuket and today is a center of old Sino Portuguese culture. You can find out more about the many mansions of Old Phuket, the people who built them and the time before tourism. It is a sort of history museum where one can better appreciate Phuket’s Sino past.

"Blue Elephant Phuket'

End the morning with a serving of Royal Thai cuisine at the Phra Pitak Chinpracha Mansion. The Blue Elephant Governor’s Mansion and Cooking School is housed in this 105 year old mansion in the heart of Old Phuket. Famous around the world for its gold and fine china Thai food, Blue Elephant has branches in London, Dubai and Brussels where it first started. In Old Phuket, we can find the most beautiful of them all. The restaurant follows the principles of Feng Shui and is located in green and lush grounds. If you have time, stay for a cooking class too. Else, just come in for lunch, their daily set menus are beautifully presented, pompously served and enjoyed in the regal dark wood and blue colonial room with elegant silverware and elephant decorated tableware.

"Romanee Street"

Soi Romanee is a small street where time seems to have stood still. Minus the brothels, the opium dens and the gambling life that made it famous at the time. Most of the shophouses’ facades look like dragon’s face. The two windows are their eyes and the door the mouth. This representation alludes to a time when the area was the center of night entertainment. Look up for the colourful shutters, the vintage motorbikes parked outside plant potted entrances and the sinuous facades.

Today, locals go about their life, the buildings and shophouses are pastel coloured and there is peace in the air. It is quaint, in the way old hutongs in Beijing or peaceful towns in the countryside can be. Observe the archways under the shophouses entrances connecting the continuous buildings. Traditionally, the lower floors housed the store whereas the family used to live above. Not much is happening today but some of the buildings have been restored and, next to new hipster coffeeshops, you can also find the descendants of Chinese migrants watching the day go by from plastic stools. It is an Instagram worthy street and also a peaceful reminder that places change, evolve and what was once grim and scandalous may one day be tame and prudish.

Two more stops warrant a visit. One is the Thavorn Hotel Museum and the other one the Drawing Room at the opposite end.

"Old Phuket Town"

Thavorn Hotel Museum is a must-stop for those who want to understand how Phuket looked like before. The hotel was built in the 60s so it is not as old at On On Hotel but it is a vintage example of the town’s tin mining past. The Thavorn family can be credited with betting on the tourism boom that later benefited Phuket. They built a full-service hotel in Phuket before the area became the focus of thousands of tourists. The owner saw the potential for Thailand’s largest island and followed the popular “build it and they will come” motto. However, he was too early for his time and the hotel never took off as anticipated.

The infrastructure was not yet there and the airport was not built until a few years later, delaying the influx of tourists. The family is quick to admit that, despite its pioneering spirit, the hotel was never a success. Walking into the dark wooden lobby is like stepping into a museum. Old pictures line the walls, vintage furniture fills the space and newspaper clips testify to the family’s success in the tin industry. It is worth a stop for a reminder that timing is everything.

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Your last stop for the day should be the Drawing room, a workshop cum art gallery where several local artists showcase their work and create their pieces. It is a mix of modern hip and pastel vintage. Vespas and collage paintings sit side by side with wall-long pieces of art. It is worth a stroll and a chat with the artists. Here is where art and inspiration just happen, in a messy, chaotic and artful display of creativity.

Cultural History of Phuket Town

Posted on May 9th, 2016

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As the heart and soul of Phuket’s authentic spirit, Phuket Town attracts crowds of tourists to explore its charming narrow streets, take photos of century-old Sino-Portuguese buildings and enjoy Malay-style coffee in one of the numerous cafés.

The history of Phuket Town began at around 1800 when a ramshackle Chinese port town appeared at what is now known as Phoonpon Rd. The settlement rested on Klong Bang Yai, which in those days was the main canal supplying Kathu and other tin-mining areas with provisions. The place had all prospects for rapid development, but Burmese invasions slowed progress. It was not until the second half of the century when the island (and future Phuket Town) recovered from the desolation and it took another 50 years for the province to gain some wealth. The Penang Gazettereferred to Phuket Town in the last years of the 19thcentury as “a most rotten and unhealthy place … a collection of Chinese huts and hovels.”

The town began taking its current shape in the early 1900s, when shophouses replaced old shacks made from atapleaf and wood. These later gave way for more ornate architecture, following the prescripts of architecture from Penang and Singapore. If you want to credit this progress, without any doubt it should be given to Phraya Rassada, also known as Kaw Sim Bee, the legendary high commissioner of Phuket who transformed the province.

In the 16 years of his governance following his appointment in 1900, Phraya Rassada and wealthy Chinese families, supported by a healthy cash flow from a rapidly recovering tin price, turned Phuket into a flourishing provincial town. Paved roads with drains were built, running water and some sanitation were constructed along with the introduction of electricity.

In 1906 Phraya Rassada raised the capital required to start the Vachira Hospital and brought in a British doctor. Four years later the first Chinese school was opened and later several more appeared.

Phraya Rassada raised funds from all possible sources, including targeted taxes, donations from prominent mining families and even foreign capital, working towards development and improving infrastructure.

Under Phraya Rassada, concessions granted to foreign companies often meant the applicant agreed to donating towards social work or civil infrastructure. In 1907 he invited the Standard Chartered Bank from Penang to build a branch on Phuket Rd on the condition that they also build a police station opposite it, partly for the bank’s own protection, but also for that of the town. This police station, with its clock tower, still stands at the junction with Phang Nga Rd opposite the old Standard Chartered Bank building.

Similarly, when an Italian consortium applied for a mining license in Kathu, Phraya Rassada agreed they could have it if they built a cinema – and so the Charlermto Movie House was built. Its ornate stucco exterior can still be seen on the corner of Dibuk Rd and Yaowarat Rd opposite the Lock Tien Restaurant today.

The beautiful Sala Klang, or provincial hall, designed by an Italian architect, was built between 1907 and 1913. Other notable buildings of those days include the governor’s mansion, the tin mines department building, the old provincial court building, the prison and the colonial villa that today houses the Baan Klung Jinda Restaurant, which was built as the residence for the provincial treasurer.

Several elegant colonial mansions were also built by wealthy tin barons in this boom period. The huge mansion at 98 Krabi Rd was built by Tan Ma Siang, while Tan Peck Huat built the handsome villa that now houses the Thai Airways office on Ranong Rd.

Phraya Rassada had telegraph lines installed throughout Monton Phuket (“Greater Phuket”), and used his own steamer service to improve the mail service – at a profit to himself, naturally. Within a few years of his appointment, even the anti-Siamese Penang Gazettehad to admit that Phuket town had changed from a “rotten and unhealthy place … [to] … a place holding out attractions for capital and enterprise.”

In 1909 Crown Prince Vajiravudh, the future Rama VI, visited Phuket. After seeing the new villas, the rows of new white and pastel coloured shop-houses, the new cinema, the new brewery, the new ice factory, the many rickshaws and horse-carriages and even the four motor cars on Phuket’s roads at the time, he commented that “apart from Bangkok, there were no other places more highly developed in Siam than Phuket.”

Adapted with permission from A History of Phuket and the Surrounding Regionby Colin Mackay. Available from bookshops. See also historyofphuket.com.

On Deck: Phuket King’s Cup Regatta wins ‘Best Asian Regatta’

Posted on May 5th, 2016

Category: Absolute Hotels Absolute Resorts

It was a big night at the recent Asia Boating Awards for Phuket and Thailand, with many of the country’s leading marine personalities being nominated for an award. In total, 12 Thailand businesses and events made it onto the short-lists, vying against companies from all around Asia for the 25 awards.

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Organized by Asia-Pacific Boating and China Boating magazines, the 12th Asia Boating Awards were presented during a luxurious gala at ONE° 15 Marina Club on the opening night of the Singapore Yacht Show last month.

Showcasing Asian builders and international brands, as well as Asian regattas and marinas, organizers explained that a number of new categories were introduced this year, including Best Multihull Motor Yacht, Best Multihull Sailing Yacht, Best Asian Yacht Refit and Best Asian Boat Show, due to popular demand and industry trends.

Phuket’s big winners on the night were the Phuket King’s Cup Regatta for ‘Best Asian Regatta,’ and Yacht Solutions, who won ‘Best Asian Yacht Refit’ for their work on MV SuRi.

It’s not the first time the Phuket King’s Cup Regatta has won at the Asia Boating Awards. This is the third time Asia’s premier regatta has been honored and it’s no surprise. Regularly attracting the top racing fleet from around the region and beyond, as well as a huge number of charterers from all over the world, the Phuket King’s Cup – which will celebrate its 30th year this December – has become the regatta others strive to emulate.

Over the awards’ 12-year history, Phuket regattas have won a grand total of four times, with Cape Panwa Hotel Phuket Raceweek winning in 2010. Phuket’s track record of success underscores the Thai government’s aim to establish Phuket as the leading marine leisure destination in Asia and marina hub of Asean.

In recognition of the growing importance of Asia as a refit and repair hub, the ‘Best Asian Yacht Refit’ award was introduced this year and it was the superyacht marine consultancy Yacht Solutions that took the inaugural award for their work on the 64-meter expedition yacht MV SuRi.

While headquartered in Phuket, Yacht Solutions also have an operating base in Bangkok and it was at their centrally located shipyard, the Bangkok Dock facility. where Yacht Solutions undertook a 3-month refit of MV SuRi. After being relaunched, it was featured in the blockbuster movie ‘Mechanic: Resurrection’, with an all-star cast headlined by Jason Statham and Jessica Alba (set to be released August 2016).

Phuket-based businesses representing international brands that won at the awards include Go Boating Thailand (Gulf Craft), Sunseeker, Boat Lagoon Yachting (Princess and Jeanneau), Simpson Marine (Lagoon), Lee Marine (Ferretti Group), Azimut Yachts and Northrop & Johnson.

Duncan Worthington is a long time Phuket resident, and through Infinity Communications (www.infinity-comms.com), consults leading consumer brands, hospitality and marine clients in Thailand. In his ‘spare time’ he runs the marine portal www.MarineScene.asia. #OnDeckPhuket

This article first appeared in the April 30-May 6 issue of the hard-copy Phuket Gazette newspaper.

Digital subscribers may download the full newspaper, this week and every week, by clicking here.

The Lighthouse Market

Posted on May 3rd, 2016

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Join the celebrations at Boat Lagoon on May 6-7 at the last Lighthouse Market of the year.

From the delectable food cocktails craft beers and fine wines to the fabulously decorated water edge promenade there is never a dull moment to be had.

As with each edition heaps of fun are guaranteed enjoy the panoramic view from top of Phukets only lighthouse a movie at our outdoor theatre tunes from a live DJ a spectacular fireworks show and much more.

Be part of Phukets signature outdoor event and help us close this festive season with a bang!

Thai holiday breaks in May

Posted on April 29th, 2016

Category: Absolute Hotels Absolute Resorts

Thailand’s commercial sector, banks and government offices enjoy two long weekend breaks starting with a substitution day for Labour Day, that falls on Monday 2 May and Thailand’s Coronation Day, 5 May followed by a special holiday 6 May.

This year, Labour Day (1 May) falls on a Sunday, which gives Thailand residents a substitution day holiday Monday 2 May. Thai travellers can pack their bags and fly to their favourite holiday destinations late Friday for a three-day break. Some savvy travellers take an extra day off Friday and start their travels late Thursday.

Labour Day was adopted to give workers an opportunity to take a break, although Thailand’s workers arrive at this holiday already refreshed by a five to seven-day break during the annual Songkran Festival in mid-April.

inside no 10Labour Day is observed in more than 80 countries, worldwide.

After returning to work 3 May, the next public holiday, Coronation Day rolls in, Thursday 5 May. The bonus this year is the additional day off, Friday 6 May, compliments of the government. It gives Thailand’s residents a four-day break through to Sunday evening.

These long-weekend breaks are life-savers for hotels throughout the country and usually there is a spike in travel to neighbouring countries most of it on low-cost airlines.

The 5 May holiday marks the coronation day of His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej the Great, who is the world’s longest reigning monarch.

Coronation Day is known in Thai as Wan Chatramongkhol. It involves religious and civil ceremonies.

HM the King came to the throne in June 1946, following the death of his elder brother. As he was only 18 at the time, the new monarch returned to Switzerland to complete his studies before returning to Thailand for the official coronation 5 May, 1950.

The coronation anniversary starts with making merit or a “tham boon” ceremony 3 May to honour HM the King’s ancestors. Later on the same day, another ceremony is performed, to present flags of honour to distinguished military units.

On 4 May, Buddhist ceremonies continue with chanting and sermons as well as rituals performed by Brahman priests.

On 5 May, His Majesty the King, or his selected representative, conducts a merit making ceremony, presenting offerings to Buddhist monks, and leads a “Wien Thien” ceremony, (walking three times around the courtyard of the Temple of the Emerald Buddha).

In the evening HM the King conducts another sacred ceremony: changing the yellow robe on the Emerald Buddha, the guardian symbol protecting the Thai people.

Reception halls and rooms in the Royal Palace are open to the public on Coronation Day. There are usually big crowds throughout the day at both the temple and palace, as residents and visitors take the opportunity to enter the palace halls and view Royal project exhibitions.

Burning up: Thailand experiencing longest heatwave in 65 years

Posted on April 28th, 2016

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Thailand is currently experiencing its longest heatwave in at least 65 years and authorities have advised people to stay indoors.

The average temperature has risen above 40 degrees Celsius in many regions in April, with the mercury spiking one day to a near record breaking 44.3 degrees Celsius.

The hottest day ever recorded in Thailand was 44.4 degrees Celsius on April 27, 1960, in the northern province of Uttaradit.

According to the Thai Meteorological Department, the average temperature nationwide has surpassed alert levels and the heatwave is expected to continue,

“Stay indoors, try to limit activity outdoors. Wear sunglasses, wear hats with large brims. Drink more water than usual,” the Department of Disease Control said in a statement this week.

“Do not let young children out of your sight for even a brief moment,” the statement said, noting that an average of 90 children die every month in Thailand from drowning but about 135 have died in April, reported AP.

The heatwave isn’t just affecting us humans.

Animals at the Dusit Zoo are also suffering, forcing staff to feed some of them popsicles by chopping up oranges, watermelon, pineapple and other fruit, mixing them with fruit juice or water and then freezing it.

“Monkeys and apes at the zoo are getting fruit popsicles,” said Saowaphang Sanannu, head of conservation and research at Bangkok’s main zoo.

“Tigers are getting meat popsicles. We’ll freeze pork legs and chunks of meat to feed them and cool them off at the same time,” Saowaphang said.

“Deer, giraffe and elephants get increased shade and sprinklers to provide rain and decrease the heat on the ground.”

Thailand’s arrivals up 15%

Posted on April 25th, 2016

Category: Absolute Hotels Absolute Resorts

Thailand’s Ministry of Tourism and Sports reports international tourist arrivals to Thailand reached more than 9 million during January to March, this year, an improvement of 15.45%.

China supplied more than 2.6 million visits to Thailand during the first quarter, up a staggering 31% improvement over slightly more than 2 million visitors in the first quarter of 2015.

Released late last week, the ministry’s data showed the country attracted 9,038,893 international visits during the first three months of this year compared to 7,829,153 visits during the same period last year.

Tourism and Sports Minister, Kobkarn Wattanavrangkul, said tourism continued to expand in the first quarter of this year, which would drive the number of international travellers to reach 32 million by year-end.

“The number of foreigners visiting the country is rising steadily. Thailand’s focus now is on enhancing the image of Thailand to be a quality leisure destination through Thainess. At the same time, we need to ensure a balance between tourism growth and its social and environmental impact.”

The ministry data is based entirely on foreign arrivals counted at immigration checkpoints (land, sea and air). It does not reflect accurately how many leisure travellers visit the country; just trips made by foreigners. It will include foreigners working in Thailand, retirees, business visitors and cross-border trad visits of more than 24 hours duration.

The minister added that sports related travel is an emerging trend focused on mountain biking, marathons, golf, tennis and sailing. Learning the skills of Muay Thai has also been identified as a reason for visiting Thailand.

In March alone, tourist arrival reached 2,948,690, an increase of 15.39% from 2,555,362 visits during the same month last year.

By regions, all markets recorded increases in the third month of the year except Oceania.

East Asia (ASEAN included) recorded the highest growth of 17.70% from 1,633,131 to 1,922,203 visits.

The markets that showed improvements were: Cambodia (+43.94%); Hong Kong (+32.27%); Myanmar (+31.70%); China (+29.10%); Laos (+17.91%); Brunei (+14.82%); the Philippines (+10.86%); Malaysia (+8.82%); Singapore (+8.42%); Indonesia (+6.47%); Japan (+5.11%); South Korea (+3.05%); and Vietnam (+2.96%).

Taiwan was the only market to register a decline at 17.55%.

Americas posted a growth of 16.39% from 111,788 to 130,112 visits. Argentina reported a 48.18% increase from 4,255 to 6,305.

The United States recorded the highest arrivals at 87,174 up 16.74% from 74,675 followed by Canada (25,107; +8.75%) and Brazil (4,552; +7.74%).

Africa showed an increase of 16.26% from 12,900 to 14,998 visits. The main market South Africa improved 29.63% from 5,531 to 7,170.

Europe grew 12.70% from 560,964 visits to 632,223 visits. The markets that showed improvements were: Russia (+29.21%); Belgium (+27.00%); Ireland (+25.33%); Spain (+22.71%); the United Kingdom (+17.97%); Switzerland (+11.90%); France (+10.95%); Italy (+10.14%); Norway (+7.13%); East Europe (+6.67%); Germany (+6.47%); Sweden (+5.87%); Denmark (+5.86%); and the Netherlands (+1.38%).

Finland and Austria were the only two markets showing declines of 6.91% and 1.80% respectively.

South Asia represented an increase of 9.91% from 106,958 to 117,557 visits. India led the field supplying 90,735 visits growing 15.28% from 78,706 followed by Bangladesh (8,145; -12.07%), Sri Lanka (6,262; +0.95%), Pakistan (6,086; +16.23%), and Nepal (3,219; +41.68%).

The Middle East increased 4.16% from 57,990 to 60,400 visits. The United Arab Emirates recorded the highest arrivals with 11,286 visits, although it had declined by 4.82% from 11,858 visits.

Other main markets in the Middle East: Israel (10,565; -26.05%); Kuwait (3,717; +2.59%); Egypt (2,102; +24.23%); and Saudi Arabia (1,929; +35.18%).

Oceania posted a decline of 0.61% from 71,631 to 71,197 visits. The main market New Zealand improved 2.62% (7,802) and Australia dropped 0.87% (63,165).