Phuket Tourism Surges: 8 Million Visitors, ฿310 Billion Revenue in 7 Months
Phuket –
Phuket’s tourism industry continues to demonstrate resilience, with new markets emerging even as overall visitor numbers show a slight dip. According to the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) Phuket Office, the island welcomed 8,096,059 visitors between January and July 2026, a decrease of 1.53% compared to the same period last year. Hotel occupancy averaged 75.56%, down 1.74%.
Despite the modest decline in arrivals, tourism revenue remained strong at 310.9 billion baht, only 0.72% lower than last year. This shows the spending power of international travelers and the sector’s role as a vital economic driver for Phuket.
One of the most striking developments is the surge in Israeli tourists. In July 2026, Phuket recorded 16,152 Israeli visitors, a 52.43% increase year-on-year. Compared with pre-pandemic levels in 2019, arrivals from Israel skyrocketed by 1,204.68%, making it the fastest-growing market among Phuket’s top ten.
From January to July, Russia retained its position as the largest inbound market, with 619,130 visitors. Other major contributors included:
- China: 383,918 visitors
- India: 354,066 visitors
- Australia: 149,542 visitors
- United Kingdom: 131,344 visitors
Germany, France, Malaysia, Kazakhstan, and South Korea rounded out the top ten. Notably, Chinese arrivals in July rose 19.02% year-on-year, though they remain 63.39% below pre-pandemic levels.
Phuket is set to benefit from expanded air connectivity in the coming months. Kuwait Airways will launch direct flights between Kuwait and Phuket starting October 27th, 2026, operating twice weekly. Meanwhile, MIAT Mongolian Airlines will begin direct services from Ulaanbaatar between December 2026 and March 2027, with three flights per week.
These new routes are expected to open fresh markets in the Middle East and East Asia, further diversifying Phuket’s visitor base and strengthening its position as a global tourism hub.
Although overall arrivals dipped slightly in the first seven months of 2026, steady revenue, the rapid growth of new markets such as Israel, and expanded flight connections suggest Phuket will maintain its role as a world-class destination and a key engine of Thailand’s economy in the second half of the year.
