TAT expects slowdown

TAT expects slowdown

The local tourism industry is expected to slow in first three months of the year due to the death of Her Royal Highness Princess Galyani Vadhana, elder sister of His Majesty the King.

Published on January 4, 2008

Taksin Pilivas, president of the Tourism Council of Thailand's (TAT) business

division, said many people who planned to travel between January and March would postpone their trips to mourn the death of the Princess.

Meanwhile, entertainment venues throughout the Kingdom will be quiet after the government requested the cooperation of both private and public agencies to refrain from organising entertainment activities during the 15 days of national mourning.

Taksin said he expected that Chinese New Year, which falls on February 7, would also be slow for the same reason.

However, Thailand is reported to be the top destination for East Asian tourists, with package tours fully booked for the Chinese New Year festival. Tourists from China, Taiwan, Hong Kong and Singapore continue to choose Thailand as their favoured destination for holidays during the period.

"Tourist arrivals are normally low in the first quarter following the Christmas and New Year festivities, and this year they are expected to be even lower," Taksin said.

Many tourism-related services such as car rental firms, restaurants, hotel and air-ticket reservation and entertainment venues are likely to be affected.

In order to boost tourism, the TAT is negotiating with the Thai Hotels Association, airlines and tour operators to run a promotional campaign, which is scheduled to run for three months from late March.

Also, the TAT is arranging the 2008 Asean Travel Forum, which is set for January 18-26 in Bangkok.

Companies from Asean members will meet with operators from the region as well the Middle East, Europe, North and South America, Oceania and Africa.

Suchat Sritama

The Nation