BOOKINGS to Thailand are being cancelled in droves because of Spain’s unwarranted travel advisory that should be dropped, says the Spanish Confederation of Travel Agencies (CEAV).
CEAV president Rafael Gallego said that the security situation at most Thai resorts is normal and called the travel advisory, which was issued in May following the coup, “exaggerated”.
He also urged Spanish authorities to revise the document “to avoid a situation of generalised concern among travellers, which is seriously prejudicial to the travel consultants sector”.
Major tour operator to Asia La Cuarta Isla, part of the Barcelo Group, said the warning is affecting not just current bookings but also reservations for the peak month of August and later in the year.
Product manager Natalia Sanchez said: “Cancellations are coming in all the time. We reckon it’s between 30 and 35 per cent so far.
“All the travel consultants are saying the same thing – that it is because of the travel advisory.”
She added: “Thailand is our number one destination in Asia and for the Spanish market as a whole. But now people are switching to countries like Vietnam and Indonesia instead, and also to the Caribbean.”
UPDATE (June 17, 2014) : Spain has since withdrawn its travel advisory against Thailand but warns its citizens to remain careful while travelling there
