Indochina blames Bangkok turmoil for downturn
PHNOM PENH – Booming Indochina tourism appears to be taking a breather after both Cambodia and Laos reported weakening demand and Vietnam indicated it would fall short of tourists targets this year.
The downturn is blamed partially on the turmoil in Thailand and the blockade of Bangkok’s airports last week during political unrest.
The president of the Cambodian Association of Travel Agents, Ho Vandy, has told local media that a tourism task force, comprised of travel agents, airline and hotel officials, tourism police and associated government ministries, has sought assitance from Minister of Tourism, Thong Khon.
The task force urged price cuts and stricter security measures to attract international visitors following instability in neighbouring Thailand and terrorist attacks in Mumbai.
Cutting airfares and increasing air service routes from countries other than Thailand were key points of discussion, Ho Vandy said.
Laos tourism is also taking a second look at its visitor arrival figures, reducing the growth projections.
Officials blame the closure of Bangkok’s gateway airports.
Eight percent of the tourist arrivals to Laos come from Thailand.
Vietnam has indicated that it is unlikely to meet its five million tourist target this year mainly due to global recession.
Ian Jarrett
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