Agents suffer big declines

BANGKOK Association of Thai Travel Agents’ member companies handled 2,223,127 international tourists at Suvarnabhumi Airport during January to October representing a decline of 41.73% from 3,607,496 visits during the same period last year.
ATTA released its data, Monday, based on fees member agencies pay to the airport to provide a meet-and-greet service for international clients.
During the first 10 months of the year, China’s outbound market to Thailand (travel agency bookings only) recorded a decline of 39.40% from 1,195,866 to 724,750 visits.
inside no 1 Russia followed in second place with 371,474 visits, down 25.24% from 496,870 during the same period last year.
The next top five markets were: India (123,372; -25.36%); Japan (84,067; -64.63%); and South Korea (74,806; -46.38%).
In October, there were 287,086 foreign tourists who used association travel agencies, a small increase of 0.75% from 284,939 visits during the same month last year.
The association president, Sisdivachr Cheewarattanaporn, said although the overall figure still showed a decline, arrivals in October showed positive signs that if sustained during the remainder of the last quarter could signal a full recovery in early 2015.
“There were more tourists using travel agencies from China and other Asian markets such as Hong Kong, Vietnam and India indicating recovery is a reality.”
The 90-day visa fee exemption for Chinese and Taiwan travellers expired 8 November and so far the government has not responded to requests from the travel industry to extend the visa fee concession.
China led the field in October with an increase of 113.78% on 121,186 visits compared to 56,687 visits during the same month in 2013.
However, Russia posted a decline of 47.10% from 62,154 to 32,879.
India ranked third with 13,994 visits increasing 8.15% from 12,940, while South Korea in fourth place delivered 10,035 visits down 18.33% from 12,288.
Japan in fifth place recorded 9,055 visits, down 55.72% from 20,451 during the same month last year.
The next top five markets in October were: Vietnam (5,788; -31.62%); Taiwan (5,378; -51.57%); Hong Kong (5,343; -29.18%); the United Kingdom (-39.03%); and Germany (2,629; -42.21%).
The association also reported there were 63,840 tourists using the services of member companies at Don Mueang Airport in October.
The top 10 markets recorded at the airport were: China (135,545); Indonesia (9,740); Vietnam (3,321); Malaysia (2,489); India (1,777); Japan (669); Singapore (457); Hong Kong (241); Myanmar (224); and Poland (139).
ATTA opened its second office at Don Mueang Airport, 1 August, to offer meet-and-greet services for member travel agents. There have also been suggestions that ATTA should follow with similar data collection at Phuket airport.

sourced:ttrweekly.com