As the peak season approaches, Sanphet Suphabuansathien, president of the Thai Hotels Association (Eastern Chapter), expressed concern over national stability and key issues of high airfares and seat availability. These uncertainties are weighing on travellers’ decisions and complicating preparations for the upcoming peak season.
Sanphet emphasized: “In order to welcome tourists to Thailand and Pattaya, we must demonstrate our state of readiness, especially in terms of security. We are well aware of the need to build confidence between international tourists and Thai nationals.”
However, uncertainty remains, mainly due to a lack of reliable flight options. Sanphet stressed that the fact that airlines are not operating at full capacity has created challenges in price negotiations. Potential travelers often feel that high airfare prices are a deterrent to their travel plans. As a result, the outlook for hotel bookings during the peak season remains uncertain.
The hospitality industry is eagerly awaiting support from the new government, which has emphasized stimulating the economy through tourism and services. This approach is considered essential to generate substantial revenue for the state. The industry is seeking comprehensive policies and aggressive promotions to enhance Thailand’s global competitiveness.
Somsong Sachaphimukh, vice-chairman of the Tourism Council of Thailand, stressed the need to cater to the preferences of Indian tourists, especially when it comes to food and entertainment. Rapid adaptation is critical to prevent these tourists from choosing alternative destinations.
With India emerging as a strong force in Asia’s tourism industry, Thailand has also seen an influx of Indian tourists. The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) expects the number of Indian tourists to reach about 1.6 million by 2023. Thai Airways CEO Chai Eamsiri highlighted the strength of the Indian market. Thai Airways currently operates 70 weekly flights to India and 14 to China. This decrease was due to the challenges of the novel coronavirus pneumonia (COVID-19). With Thailand’s narrowbody fleet poised to expand over the next decade, future business may turn more towards India.
