Leading the transformation has been Phuket's rising airlift punctuated by its key strategic door-to-door travel time. According to the report, between 2008 and 2012 Russians and other Eastern Europeans visiting the island grew at a compounded annual growth rate of 77% - with charter flights catering to 56% of total passengers last year.
"45% of Eastern European visitors to Phuket come via Moscow"
"There is little doubt that Asia's latter day volume leisure destination splurge requires a constant renewal of numbers," said Mr Barnett. "While Phuket with its airlift impact has shown little sign of slowing down in 2013, Bali's seeing a slow down as its Eastern European market has turned melodramatic with no direct scheduled service from Russia."
The Emerging Eastern European Market report by C9 Hotelworks goes on to highlight that despite the mounting numbers, there is a pronounced seasonal trend, as 80% of the "snowbirds" come between October to April, and year-round demand remains elusive as tour operators and airlines redeploy aircraft to the Mediterranean during the summer months.
"Looking forward, there is little doubt that the new Phuket tourism economy is now highly leveraged by the mounting influence of Eastern European visitors. The rapidly changing tourism persona comes at a time when traditional markets continue to retract," added Mr Barnett.
"This has triggered stress fractures in local infrastructure support and has created an ongoing controversy over the blending cultures of the new East and the old West. Russian's now rank in the top 3 of work permits issued to foreigners on the island. Ultimately despite the visible economic benefits, sentiment remains mixed over what form the future may bring."
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