Tourism losses could reach 130-billion baht (nearly US $4-billion)

[Gaybutton]

The following appears in the Bangkok Post:

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Tourism Losses Could Hit 130-bln Baht

 

The tourism industry may lose up to 130 billion baht of revenues because of the closure of Suvarnabhumi airport, Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) deputy governor for international marketing Santichai Euachongprasit said on Tuesday.

 

According to the initial assessment, the number of foreign tourists between December 2008 and April 2009 could drop by 2.3 million and the loss of revenues should be around 86 billion to 130 billion baht. The decrease would be about 40 to 50 per cent when compared to the same period of the previous year.

 

Mr Santichai said the TAT initially aimed to welcome 16 million tourists, but the number could be slashed to 14 million due to the political and economic crises.

 

The TAT will fine-tune its marketing plan by emphasising on restoring tourist confidence. Previously, the authority proposed the "Seven Wonders" campaign to promote important tourist destinations in the country next year, but it will also try to restore the national image by apologising to tourists who were affected by the seizure of airports by the People's Alliance for Democracy (PAD) and beefing up security measures.

 

The TAT in cooperation with the private sector will come up with different tourism campaigns and promotions to draw in more tourists as well.

[Guest GaySacGuy]

I think their figures are probably conservative. The family that is looking for a place to vacation with some kids will not choose Thailand for quite some time.

 

The gay business owners are really lucky that Thialand is a unique market for gays, and therefore most of them that have planned to travel to Thailand will travel. There is of course a few that won't, and probably quite a loss for Nov-Dec when people wanting to travel couldn't because of the closures.

[Guest luvthai]

I am scheduled over for the month of Feb but will admit to investigating other places to go. I can't imagine not going to LOS as this will be my 34th trip since 94 but The visa and home owning restrictions are forcing me to consider other places.

[PattayaMale]

TAT had been under pressure for 3 years for "under preforming". Maybe this gives them a win no matter what really happens. If the numbers are low they can blame it on the government turmoil. If numbers are good they can go patting them selves on the back.

 

The problem is now they may not look to see if there are other reason which are more under their control that would help increase numbers. Things like hotel, entertainment and in country flight prices.

 

I am going to Samui from Pattaya for 3 days and my flight price per kilometer flown is very high at over 250 US per person. The room at the resort we will stay at is over $350 us a night (true the room is free for us because we won 2 nights in a contest. Breakfast is 600 baht ($25) per person (we won't eat there).

 

Thailand use to be a very inexpensive place. Yes there still are some bargains but these same bargain prices can be found in many western countries.

 

Most tourists in this economy are looking for interesting places to go as well as affordability.

 

I went to the Thaiair website to see what prices were like 14 days out from LAX. 6 days were sold out. The first available date for regular ECONOMY was $2463 US. On EVA air I could fly out but could not return until a later date because the return was sold out. Price was $1546 regular economy. Just a few years ago I could fly deluxe (economy premium) for under $800.

 

So I think too much is being pushed about the airport closures if flights are full and sold out.

 

 

[Gaybutton]

So I think too much is being pushed about the airport closures if flights are full and sold out.

 

That would be correct if the airlines are still flying the same number of flights per day or per week as they were last year. I don't know if the airlines have cut back the number of flights they are running, but if they have, a full flight still may not mean as many people are making the trip as this time last year. Judging from the numbers of farang I'm seeing in town, in bars, and on the beaches, the tourism industry is in for a huge loss.