Tourism operators in Bangkok and the eastern region are pinning their hopes on a return of foreign tourists during the coming Songkran festival if the emergency decree expires on Mar 22.
Tourist police assist visitors at Chatuchak Market in Bangkok. Foreign tourist arrivals are expected to number 28 million this year, up from 26 million in 2013. Phrakrit Juntawong
If the caretaker government does not extend the emergency decree, Bangkok and major tourist attractions in the East will enjoy high advance reservations similar to Chiang Mai and Hat Yai during Songkran.
The tourism industry particularly in Bangkok has been hit hard by the political crisis since the last two months of 2013 and the situation worsened after the announcement of the emergency decree on Jan 21.
However, tourism operators are confident that the positive sentiment will return after the revocation of the emergency decree.
Sanga Ruangwattanakul, president of the Khao San Road Business Association, a popular tourism area for backpackers in Bangkok, said the advance reservations for Songkran are only 30% now compared with 60% this time last year.
The Thai Hotels Association (THA) said bookings for the festival are very low for the eastern part of Thailand.
However, both associations hope bookings will increase as Songkran nears.
They expect average occupancy rate for hotels in the eastern region will be 60-65% during the festival compared with 70% in the same period last year, and bookings for hotels and guesthouses on Khao San will be 80%, compared to 100% last year.
Bundarik Kusolvitya, president of the THA's eastern chapter, said domestic tourism will offset a drop in foreign travellers especially Russian and Chinese during Songkran due to the political crisis.
Tour operators said tour packages sold well at the recent Thailand Travel Expo 2014 and many packages are expected to be used during the Songkran festival. The proportion of foreign and local travellers during the festivities is expected to be 35:65.
For Chiang Mai, the most popular destination for Songkran celebrations, the THA reports that advance bookings are doing very well at 90% now. It expects bookings will soon reach 100%, compared to 75% during last year's celebration.
"It's the best year for Chiang Mai for this Songkran festival in a 10-year round due to an influx of Chinese travellers, who account for 40% of total bookings and Thais, Koreans and Malaysians accounting for the rest,'' said Phunut Thanalaopanich, president of the THA's northern chapter.
Somchart Pimthanapoonporn, president of the Hat Yai-Songkhla Hotel Association, said bookings for early in the Songkran period, April 11-13, are expected to hit 100%.
Malaysian tourists, who account for 90% of total foreign tourists, are back after the bomb blasts in Danok and Sadao districts near the end of last year.
Tourism operators hope their businesses will return to normal during the Songkran festival after losing revenue during the November-February period.
