ANTI-GOVERNMENT protests in Bangkok are unlikely to have a significant effect on Thailand’s tourism industry, according to travel specialists, however the risk of disruption will increase if the demonstrators dig in for the long haul.
Police said some 10,000 demonstrators gathered at Democracy Monument yesterday to protest against a bill passed by the lower House last week. The bill is up for approval by the senate next week, though many commentators think this unlikely.
Outbound operators and wholesalers are fielding an increasing number of calls from customers who are worried that the domestic political situation will affect their travel plans, but cancellations remain relatively low, Suthipong Pheunphiphop, president of Thai Travel Agents Association, told TTG Asia e-Daily.
“About half of the outbound operators and consultants we have spoken to are being asked to reconfirm whether they can still operate their tours,” he said. “Most of them insist they can. Cancellations are currently less than five per cent.”
Inbound tourism should also remain unaffected as most international visitors will have booked their trips months ago and the political problems should dissipate within the next couple of weeks to a month, he said.
“Most inbound travel consultants don’t expect a big effect from the rallies. Thailand often has protests (which don’t have much effect on other people). Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) and Association of Thai Travel Agents are working closely together to keep everybody informed of what’s going on. Hopefully this will be over in a week or so if the senate rejects the bill. Otherwise the demonstrations could last for a month.”
TAT in a statement yesterday advised tourists to avoid rally sites but said businesses, attractions and airports remained open, and said demonstrations have not spread to other parts of the country.
