Accor hotel business plummets in Thailand
BANGKOK – The impact of political uncertainty and the global financial crisis on Thailand has been revealed in new figures from Accor.
Occupancies of Accor hotels in Thailand dropped 16.1% like-for-like during the first half of 2009.
Accor said its hotel business in Thailand “remains depressed†and continues to be affected by the slow down of tourist arrivals.
Oswald Pichler, vice president, Accor Thailand, Cambodia and Laos, said, “The hotel business in Thailand continues to be affected by the much publicised demonstrations and slowing of global tourism.
“Whilst the domestic issues have settled, it will be a slow recovery back to the trading conditions of 2008.â€
Pichler added, “Accor is working with tourism partners and operators and exploring unique sales activities, which are resulting in incremental revenues for its hotel network, however there remains a distinct lull in long haul business.â€
Accor operates 41 hotels throughout Thailand, covering the spectrum of accommodation from the economy sector with Accor’s All Seasons and Ibis hotel brands, through to luxury accommodation with Sofitel Luxury Hotels.
Pichler said Accor had maintained a consistent presence in Thailand since opening a regional office in Bangkok in 1988.
“During this time we have seen numerous highs and lows of tourism and remain confident in a return of arrivals in the mid term.
“The relationships that Accor has built with key representatives of the Thailand travel industry are helping to shield the owners of the hotels that Accor manages from the full effects of the downturn which has resulted in declines of in arrivals to the country by 22 percent.â€
Globally, Accor’s first half 2009 revenues declined 8.1 percent like-for-like.
Hotels revenue continued to decline, contracting 11.4 percent like-for-like.
Ian Jarrett
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