Impact of protest on Thai tourism industry

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Source: CCTV.com | 12-04-2008 13:36

In Thailand, occupancy levels at luxury hotels across Bangkok have declined sharply amid political unrest in the country.

Many locals are concerned that the closing of the country's major airports will have a lasting effect on Thailand's previously thriving tourist industry.

Anti-government protesters celebrate as they hold a giant Thai flag during a rally at Bangkok's Suvarnabhumi international airport December 2, 2008. REUTERS/Chaiwat Subprasom

But tourism industry insiders say they are encouraged by the reopening of the airports and are looking forward to resuming business as usual.

Deepak Ohri, CEO of Lebua Hoteld & Reports, said, "Political crisis has been here in Bangkok for long while but we were not affected. But we recently got badly hit as the airport got closed. Normally we were doing around 70 percent and last year during this time we were doing around 70 percent. Yesterday we had 24 percent occupancy and today we are seeing that we have 20 percent. But the good news is the airport is going to be opening up and we're all looking forward to it."

Dale Lawrence, Director of Corp. Comm's Pacific Asia Travel Assoc., said, "Well quite clearly in the short term, the impact is quite severe. If you talk to some of the major hotels in and around Bangkok, they are now reporting very low, worryingly low numbers of guests, very low level of occupancy. But that could now pick up if the travellers from overseas feel confident that they are going to be able to get back into Thailand. The key is when will the airport become fully operational."

Editor:Zhang Pengfei