The Chambers of Commerce in Phuket and Chiang Rai are working together to attract more tourists by pushing to restore direct flight links between the two provinces.
Phuket's Chamber of Commerce president, Thanusak Puengdet, recently led a delegation on a visit to Chiang Rai, where they met local businesses and Anurat Inthorn, president of Chiang Rai's Chamber of Commerce and Promporn Jindawong Netharn, acting chairwoman of Chiang Rai Tourism Council.
The two sides have agreed to team up to develop their wellness sector ahead of the Phuket Wellness Week festival, which will run from March 3-6.
They also agreed to push for the resumption of direct flights between the two provinces now that the demand for domestic air travel is starting to pick up again.
Citing low demand during the pandemic, airlines decided to suspend direct flights between Chiang Rai's Mae Fah Luang airport and Phuket International Airport.
Resumption of the flights would greatly boost tourist numbers in Phuket and Chiang Rai, which are major destinations in the South and North, respectively.
Mr Thanusak said that Chiang Rai is working with Phuket to ensure both provinces are ready for Phuket Wellness Week, which will showcase wellness products, including tea, coffee and fruits harvested in Chiang Rai.
"The cooperation will benefit both sides. Tourists will be able to travel directly and in larger numbers between two provinces," he said.
According to Mr Thanusak, the direct air link would also improve the supply of produces grown in the North, such as fruits and vegetables.
Between November last year to January, Phuket welcomed more than one million visitors from 100 countries, though most of the arrivals were from Russia.
In addition, the direct air link would help bring workers from Chiang Rai to Phuket, catering to the rise in demand for labour on the island as the country's tourism sector rebounds.