SURAT Thani saw more than 150,000 tourist arrivals last month, with more than 1.25 billion bath (RM159 mil) generated, said the Tourism Authority of Thailand.
Reports in Bangkok Post said a total 157,623 tourists, consisting of 145,947 Thais and 11,676 foreigners visited popular destinations, like Koh Samui, Koh Phangan and Koh Tao in April.
TAT Surat Thani director, Nantawan Siripokapat, said hotel occupancy rates went up 7.68 per cent to 42.20 per cent compared to the same period last year.
Each person stayed an average 1.18 nights in April and tourist arrivals generated 1.13 billion baht from Thai visitors and 121.57 million from international travellers.
The average spending for Thais was 3,172.36 baht per head per day, while foreign tourists spent an average of 3,245.77 baht per head per day, said Nantawan.
She attributed the improved tourism situation to campaigns both in domestic and foreign markets as well as Songkran festivities on Koh Samui and Koh Phangan.
The government's Rao Tiew Duay Kan (We Travel Together) tourism promotion campaign and the easing of Covid-19 restrictions have also stimulated tourism in this southern province.
During the Labour Day break from April 30 to May 2, a total 44,743 tourists - 31,168 Thais and 13,575 foreigners – travelled to Surat Thani, with the hotel occupancy rate of 42.26%, she said.
Tourists had stayed an average of 2.61 nights, generating about 403.56 million baht (RM51 mil) in revenue. Of the revenue, 250.66 million baht was from Thais and 152.90 million baht from foreigners.
"Many places like Koh Rap, Thalae Waek, Koh Ma, Koh Nang Yuan and Ratchaprapa Dam are increasingly popular among tourists,'' added Nantawan.