PHUKET, Thailand, Jan. 17 (UPI) -- Thailand is gearing up for a major relaunch of its resort island of Phuket, at the heart of the tourist region worst hit by last month's tsunami.
A turnaround in fortunes for Phuket and the surrounding areas is vital for Thailand's tourism industry, as the Andaman seaboard region -- of which Phuket is part -- accounts for close to a third of Thailand's 12 million annual tourism arrivals.
The area also accounts for about $2 billion, or 25 percent, of the total revenues generated by foreign tourists.
Currently, tourism is even lower than normal low-season levels, locals said, the Straits Times reported Monday. Ironically, many hotels in Phuket are undamaged and open for business.
Up to 80 percent of hotel rooms on the island were not affected by the tsunami, but occupancy rates had plummeted from 85 percent to 15 percent, said a local hotel and property consultant.
Tourism professionals and analysts agree that Phang Nga and the Phi Phi islands will take at least a year to recover. But Phuket will be able to come back by the start of this year's peak season, which begins in November.
