Thai bookings leap despite protests
Tour operators are reporting that bookings to Thailand are up despite the anti-government protests and Bangkok ‘shutdown’.
The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) said bookings for the first week of January are up between 20-40% with top selling operators such as Premier Holidays, Travel 2, Hayes & Jarvis and Gold Medal.
Premier Holidays said Thailand was ‘the clear winner’ for 2014 bookings as the operator’s best-selling destination to date.
Most have been top-end bookings with a rise in demand for luxury getaways.
TAT has updated its blog to say that so far demonstrations have been peaceful with many reporting a ‘festival’ vibe.
Details on affected roads and recommended public transport can be found here.
It reported some diversions are in place but that Bangkok’s public transport systems are operating as normal and all of the main tourist sights are open.
Tourists visiting the city are advised to stay away from blocked intersections and demonstration areas due to the high volume of people.
The following measures are also in place:
- About 6,000 taxis registered with the Airports of Thailand (AOT) have been given special stickers to show that the vehicles are carrying tourists
- A Tourist Care Centre is set up at the Sports Authority of Thailand at Hua Mark Stadium and a Tourist Care Unit at Suvarnabhumi and Don Mueang International Airports to provide assistance to tourists.
- A Tourist Help Desk is set up at BTS skytrain Siam, Phaya Thai, Ekkamai and Wong Wian Yai Stations and MRT subway Hua Lamphong Station. Each location is manned by four Tourist Police officers.
- Rapid Tourist Police units and 50 volunteers are on standby to assist tourists who may need to travel through the demonstration areas (to reach their hotel, for example).
- Accommodation near the airports will be reserved for tourists who may have missed flights due to arriving late to the airport because of travel disruptions.
- Waiting areas at the airport have been assigned for passengers missing their flights due to the travel uncertainties from Bangkok downtown.
The TAT website also offers useful contact numbers for foreigners visiting.
Diane
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