SINGAPORE – There is a good chance that at least 10 percent of those demonstrating against the government in Bangkok are directly involved in tourism, working for hotels, transport companies, tour operators, airlines or travel agents.

Probably up to 30 percent are indirectly involved in tourism, as suppliers to hotels, airlines, restaurants and others.

Many of these loonies who have hi-jacked hundreds of thousands of international tourists, keeping them as virtual hostages while they confront the Thai government, will find themselves out of work when this conflict is resolved.

The combined impact of the violence in Mumbai, the global economic slowdown and mob rule in Bangkok will shred Thailand’s appeal as a tourist destination.

“Amazing Thailand” – the slogan of the Tourism Authority of Thailand – will conjure images of harassed travellers stranded at military airports rather than beautiful beaches and tropical islands.

Increasingly, the anti-government protestors who have laid siege to Suvarnabhumi and Don Mueang airports seem intent on provoking the government to end the protest by force.

Tourism to Thailand will be in freefall after the events of the past week, and even if the stand-off is resolved peacefully, too much damage has been done to the image of the country to prevent a huge hangover for tourism businesses.

For tourism globally, the terrorist attacks in Mumbai and the violence associated with the demonstrations in Bangkok, will usher in an era of even tougher security for travellers.

People will take their holidays closer to home, and avoid the trouble spots altogether.

Be prepared for the downturn in international tourism to slow to snail’s pace in the first half of 2009, perhaps longer.

by Ian Jarrett