Thousands cancel Phuket trips after tour boat sinking
Phuket hoteliers are beginning to feel the pinch in the aftermath of one of Thailand’s worst tour boat tragedies.
Kongsak Kupongsakorn, president of the Southern Hoteliers’ Association said 19 member hotels have reported cancellations and an estimated 7,300 Phuket room bookings for July and August have been cancelled by Chinese customers.
A tour boat sank off Phuket on July 5 carrying 105 people which were mostly Chinese tourists.
The last body was recovered this week and authorities said a total of 47 people died.
The negative impact to the tragedy is already severe and could get much worse as many hotel businesses have yet to post their booking data.
Chiaya Rapuepol, president of the Andaman Sea tourism business association estimates the fallout could hit Phuket by as much as $1 billion in lost business.
The reported cancellations already amount to about 10% of the total business on the resort island for July and August.
Nearly a third of the 10 million Chinese visitors who come to Thailand annually visit Phuket.
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Editor for TravelMole North America and Asia pacific regions. Ray is a highly experienced (15+ years) skilled journalist and editor predominantly in travel, hospitality and lifestyle working with a huge number of major market-leading brands. He has also cover in-depth news, interviews and features in general business, finance, tech and geopolitical issues for a select few major news outlets and publishers.
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