Phuket to profit off shopping

 Phuket plans to open a new US$32 million entertainment, shopping and convention centre, as figures reveal shopping now accounts for 24 percent of all tourists’ spending in Phuket.

Typical tourist spending in Phuket was reported to be US$108 per day.

On average, visitor arrivals to Phuket airport have risen 9 percent each year since 2004, with growth rates surging in 2012, up 13 percent on 2011 figures.

Phuket recorded an estimated 76 percent occupancy rate in 2012.

Central Retail Corporation will develop Phuket’s new complex and to avoid over-saturation more than 4,000 new hotel rooms are also planned for 2013-16.

Sourced: etravelblackboard