ALERT Samui Hotels Up USD25.5 Million In First Half Of 2010

A sharp upswing in visitor arrivals to the resort island Koh Samui translated into a USD25.5 million increase in hotel room revenue in the first six months of this year compared to H1 2009, according to research by leading consulting firm C9 Hotelworks' Samui 2010 Hotel Market Update.
Rates and occupancies grew through a marked increase in visitors.
The first half of 2010 suggests that a sustainable recovery for Samui tourism has begun despite the Bangkok political events in the final months of the period.
C9's research showed a recovery in international visitors was fuelled by international flight capacity rising 21% since 2008. Tourist arrivals increased 8% during the same period. Wholesale gains made from 2009 were due in part to weak demand in the early part that year.
Key indicator – revenue per available room – soared 24% over the same period last year, driven by a moderate occupancy increment of 5% and a substantial increase in room rates of 13%.
Growth from regional markets signaled potential change in the island's tourism profile with a strong Thai baht coupled with weak British pound and euro slowing the rebound for the traditionally strong long-haul visitor sector.
Looking to the future, clearly luxury loves company as the tier is set see room inventory grow 110% in second half of the year, adding 209 rooms to supply.
Globally recognized brands such as W and Conrad along with recent entries such as Banyan Tree are poised to drive new interest in the destination.
To download the full report visit – <link>http://www.c9hotelworks.com/downloads/samui-hotel-market-update-2010.pdf*Samui Hotel Update 2010 Mid-Year Edition</link>