Thai travel agent association retains buoyant outlook

THE ASSOCIATION of Thai Travel Agents (ATTA) expects the number of inbound tourists handled by its members to grow by 50 per cent this year, despite concerns over the recent floods in the country, as well as the dismal economic situation in Europe and the US.

According to ATTA president Sisdivachr Cheewarattanaporn, even though members continue to receive forward bookings for the last three months of the year, there have been an increasing number of queries about the floods from key markets such as China and Japan.

“The government should resolve the situation by October, otherwise it would impact the high season,” he said. “They should also send out a message that the flood does not affect major tourist areas.”

Sisdivachr said the burgeoning Asian markets were expected to make up for the possible decline in visitor numbers from Europe and the US.

Between January 1 and September 27 this year, ATTA members handled 2.23 million tourists, a 57.5 per cent jump over the same period last year. The top nine markets for ATTA were from Asia – China, Russia, India, South Korea, Japan, Taiwan, Vietnam, Hong Kong and Indonesia. All registered either double- or triple-digit growth.

The UK came in 10th with a 0.30 per cent increase, while the markets registering declines were Iran, Norway and Germany.

By Sirima Eamtako

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