Rallies threaten tourism recovery

Four more countries have issued travel advisories that warn travellers to avoid Bangkok between 12 to 14 March.  Warnings have been issued by 31 nations so far.

Tourism Authority of Thailand deputy governor of marketing communications, Prakit Piriyakiet, confirmed the latest additions stating it was due to the ?intense and sensitive political situation in the country?.

The latest advisories were issued by Brazil; Latvia; Czechoslovakia and Cambodia.

Cambodia, a neighbour of Thailand, raised the security risk for travel to Thailand to its highest level stating travellers should revise their plans and avoid Thailand.

The 27 countries that issued warnings earlier were: UK; Belgium; Germany; Ireland; Canada; Australia; New Zealand; France; Italy; Switzerland; Denmark; Norway; Netherlands; Austria; USA; Israel; Japan; Poland; Romania; Spain; Russia; Finland; China; Macau; South Korea; Taiwan and Sweden.

Many of Thailand?s tourism industry leaders, including the top management of local hotels and tour companies, are attending ITB Berlin and will be out of the country over the weekend when political rallies take place that could attract up to 1 million people.

Tourism leaders recognise that repeated political disturbances are seriously compromising the industry?s ability to recover, despite financial incentives from the government.

When the latest rallies are over, there will be substantial price to pay in lost business. It will cause another round of travel company closures or lay offs and again the government will need to prop up the industry with soft loans if there are significant drops in tourist arrivals. Industry leaders recognise that Thailand is caught up a vicious cycle that is destroying its ability to compete with neighbours and embark on economic recovery.

On 9 March, representatives of the Federation of Thai Travel Agents expressed these concerns to Prime Minister, Abhisit Vejjachewa. They asked the PM to create confidence among foreigners over government?s capability to control political unrest.

According to most tourism associations, there have been just a few reports of cancellations. Thai-Japan Tourism Club president, Anek Srishevachart, reported no cancellations from Japanese groups, so far, but admitted there had been several inquiries regarding the political situation.

Thailand Convention and Association president, Sumate Sudasna, said he was trying to survey members about the current situation in the MICE market.

However, there were very few responses as most executives are in Berlin for the ITB show. In his view, there have been minimal cancellations because of the nature of the meetings and incentives market, which fixes business at least one year in advance.

?That makes it difficult to change a destination at the last minute,? he said.

However, he said the travel advisories would have a long-term impact on future business. He describes the latest political turn of events as very disappointing for the country?s tourism business, which is still suffering from the impact of violent demonstrations last April.

He says the private sector needs the government, especially Ministry of Foreign Affairs, to send a message that can reassure overseas tourists ?but it should be based on facts?.

Unfortunately, facts are few and far between, with even government officials stating they are at a loss to say what will be the outcome of rallies due to start tomorrow.

Association of Thai Travel Agents honorary advisor, Apichart Sankary, said leisure groups from Scandinavia have not yet cancelled their trips because they have paid for everything. However, he says some small incentive groups from China have already cancelled bookings at Bangkok hotels such as Narai Hotel and the Amari Group has registered cancellations.

?The forward booking seems static now. There has been so much negative news reported about Thailand so many tourists prefers to wait and see,? said Mr Apichart.

Sourced = The TTR Weekly