SURAT THANI: A total of 711 foreign tourists had arrived on three islands under the Samui Plus programme over the past 60 days, and spent more than 47 million baht, according to official figures.
Surat Thani governor Wichawut Jinto said on Friday that tourism on the "Mu Koh Thalae Tai (south sea islands) of Koh Samui, Koh Phangan and Koh Tao" has rebooted since the Samui Plus Model kicked off on July 15.
As of Sept 15, a total of 711 foreign tourists had arrived on Koh Samui. Fifty-five of them crossed to Koh Phangan and another 31 to Koh Tao.
The largest numbers were from France (127) Germany (105) and the United Kingdom (102), Mr Wichawut said.
From July 15 to Sept 15, these tourists had spent 8,966 room nights at hotels. Their spending during the period totalled more than 47 million baht, the Surat Thani governor said.
On top of the Samui Plus Model, there were 479 tourists under the Phuket Sandbox and 147 under the Phuket Extension 7+7 programme arriving on Koh Samui with hotel reservations for 759 room nights.
The three tourism stimulus programmes drew 1,335 tourists on 113 flights from Suvarnabhumi to Samui and Phuket to Samui.
“Another 796 foreign tourists have made advance hotel reservations under the Samui Plus Model for a total of 10,269 nights, and another 476 tourists under the Phuket Extension 7+7 for a total of 3,033 room nights, or 13,302 room nights in total.
"These tourist stimulus programmes will help revive the tourism economy and generate jobs and income for local residents,’’ Mr Wichawut said.
