ASIAN Trails has urged overseas tour operators to think twice and consult their handlers for an accurate picture on the ground before cancelling trips to Thailand, after a New York-based client axed two groups in a row without seeking its opinion.
The two groups were bound for Bangkok and north Thailand for a 10-day stay. The operator sends 15 groups to Thailand annually, with average group size of between 35 and 45 pax.
“There is NO problem for us to operate tours on almost normal itinerary. They never asked for our opinion, but simply canceled the two groups,” said Asian Trails CEO Luzi Matzig.
“The floods in Ayuthaya are receding and yesterday one of our Swiss groups from Voegele Reisen visited three of the main temples in Ayuthaya for the first time in three weeks,” he added.
“The whole of downtown Bangkok is still dry and today Asian Trails operates city and temple tours, floating market of Dam Noen Saduak, etc, as usual. All transfers operate normally and all hotels except the Sofitel Centara in Lardprao and the Chao Phaya Park are open and fully functional.
“There are no problems at Bangkok Suvarnabhumi International Airport. The Asian Highway from Bangkok via Ayuthaya is again open for traffic.”
Asian Trails had approximately 500 pax cancelled for period of stay November 1-15, he told TTG Asia e-Daily in an email interview. But of the 500, only 100 are from Europe and the US; 400 are from Asia.
Said Matzig: “The tourism industry needs the support of its principals overseas, and the fact that (the operator) has now cancelled two Thailand tours in a row causes additional stress on guides, drivers, restaurants, etc, who then lose badly-needed income.”
He urged: “Give some thought when deciding on whether to operate or cancel future Thailand tours, simply because CNN shows worst-case scenario footage from ‘yesteryears’ repeatedly to boost its ratings, while governments issue overly-cautious travel advisories to (protect themselves).”
