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| Bangkok Airways is the best way to get to Koh Samui |
Koh Samui’s economy practically thrives on its tourism industry, which is fuelled by hundreds of businesses spread across the small island. A significant portion of its tourist traffic comes from Bangkok Airways, the island’s only airport, which has monopolized commercial flights over the past years.
With only one
airline serving the tropical destination, as well as numerous flight restrictions
established by airport’s corporate office, business owners and even governing
officials have made numerous complaints regarding the lack of direct trips going
to the island.
As of
today, this airport operates
only three international flights from the resort island in the Gulf of Thailand
going to three cities, namely: Singapore, Kuala Lumpur, and Hong Kong.
That being
said, Bangkok Airways has finally decided to respond to public demand by increasing
its number of flights between Koh Samui and Hong Kong from ten per week, all
the way up to fourteen, denoting a considerable 40% increase, starting this
Dec. 1.
In
addition, vice-president ML Nandhika Varavarn says that the private carrier
also plans on offering a direct link between the former crown colony and
Suvarnabhumi airport sometime during the year 2013.
"Bangkok
Airways is very excited about adding more flights to Koh Samui for the Hong
Kong market, because we know how popular a destination it is for Hong Kong
people who just want to relax and enjoy themselves," says ML Nandhika.
While Koh
Samui does have its fair share of tourists from Hong Kong every year, the convenience
of being able to select different direct flights – throughout the entire week
-- going to the tropical destination will certainly boost the number of visits significantly.
The tourist
traffic coming from Hong Kong will most likely include more first-time visitors,
which is also great for businesses within Samui. Many believe that all it takes
for the island to transform a new vacationist into a repeat visitor is
half-a-day.
A strong customer
base is something that this tropical hotspot can be proud about, as a large portion
of its one million visitors per year has spent some time in the island before. Such
a trend doesn’t come as a surprise to locals, as Samui is well known for its
diverse range of top-of-the-line accommodations, premium services, and trendy entertainment
establishments around the world.
To ramp up
the number of visitor’s annually even higher, proposals for a second airport in
Koh Samui are currently being discussed.
