Thailand counting the cost of conflict and floods
Thailand’s tourism industry is losing its competitiveness to Hong Kong and Singapore despite offering cheaper products and accommodation, says a hotels’ association boss.
”Thai tourism has not recovered from the global economic crisis that started in late 2008 and domestic political uncertainty,” said Prakit Chinamourphong, president of the Thai Hotels Association (THA).
”Foreign tourists are not returning yet, so tourism operators must focus more on the domestic market instead. They’re pinning their hopes on the coming high season, but reservations are not as high as they expected,” he told the Bangkok Post.
To make matters worse, the recent floods in many areas of the country have affected domestic tourism.
Mr Prakit said average hotel occupancy this year should be about 60%, similar to last year. However, average room rates in Thailand were much lower than in Hong Kong or Singapore.
”The flood impact will be short-lived. It’s the local political uncertainty that will remain the biggest threat for the tourism industry, as we don’t know how long the state of emergency will go on in many locations,” he said.
The average room rate for a five-star hotel in Thailand is about US$133 per night, compared with $200 in Hong Kong and Singapore.
But occupancy is averaging about 70% in Singapore and 75% in Hong Kong, according to a THA report.
“We offer a better product, but Thais have damaged their country themselves,” said Mr Prakit.
The association reported that reservations in the most popular destination, Phuket, for this month and next month stood at about 70% of available rooms, down from the norm of 80-85% for the period.
For the same peak season in Chiang Mai, bookings are now at 50%, down from 70-80% in the past.
The private sector projects international tourist arrivals at 13 million this year, while the Tourism Authority of Thailand remains confident the country will achieve its target of 14.5 million tourists.
Ian Jarrett
Vegas’s Billion-Dollar Secrets – What They Don’t Want Tourists to Know
Visit Florida’s New CEO Bryan Griffin Shares His Vision for State Tourism with Graham
Chicago’s Tourism Renaissance: Graham Interviews Kristin Reynolds of Choose Chicago
Graham Talks with Cassandra McCauley of MMGY NextFactor About the Latest Industry Research
Destination International’s Andreas Weissenborn: Research, Advocacy, and Destination Impact
Graham and Don Welsh Discuss the Success of Destinations International’s Annual Conference
Graham and CEO Andre Kiwitz on Ventura Travel’s UK Move and Recruitment for the Role
Brett Laiken and Graham Discuss Florida’s Tourism Momentum and Global Appeal
Graham and Elliot Ferguson on Positioning DC as a Cultural and Inclusive Global Destination
Graham Talks to Fraser Last About His England-to-Ireland Trek for Mental Health Awareness
Kathy Nelson Tells Graham About the Honour of Hosting the World Cup and Kansas City’s Future
Graham McKenzie on Sir Richie Richardson’s Dual Passion for Golf and His Homeland, Antigua
ADS PRO 
Phocuswright reveals the world's largest travel markets in volume in 2025
Cyclone in Sri Lanka had limited effect on tourism in contrary to media reports
Higher departure tax and visa cost, e-arrival card: Japan unleashes the fiscal weapon against tourists
Singapore to forbid entry to undesirable travelers with new no-boarding directive
Euromonitor International unveils world’s top 100 city destinations for 2025