Thailand feels the heat of World Cup fever as travellers stay home

By Xinyi Liang-Pholsena

 

The 2018 FIFA World Cup, which kicked off in Moscow last Thursday, may have brought a tourism boon to Russia, but this major sporting event is also having a ripple effect on longhaul summer bookings into Thailand half a world away.

 

Several sellers in Thailand that TTG Asia spoke to at Thailand Travel Mart Plus – which took place in Pattaya last week – have observed a “slight drop” in bookings for June and July this year, corresponding to the period when Russia hosts the largest football event from June 14 to July 15.

 

“The Russians are not travelling during the World Cup period because they’re staying home to watch the game – this is what we understand based on feedback from Russian operators,” said Solos Faktongphol, sales executive at Holiday Inn Resort Phuket Mai Khao Beach, for which Russia is a significant feeder market.

 

Full story: https://www.ttgasia.com/2018/06/18/thailand-feels-the-heat-of-world-cup-fever-as-travellers-stay-home/

 

-- TTG ASIA 2018-06-18

Travellers are not staying home because of the world cup, they don't even stay home, they are in Cambodia, Vietnam, Myanmar, Malaysia, Indonesia... Countries that are ready to take over the turism because they actually have policies to lure tourists no to make them run.

Good.

And now, let's pray for the World Cup in China.

One other avenue for thought is Thailand is getting way too expensive, and this topic is a common conversation piece in bars.

3 hours ago, arithai12 said:

Good.

And now, let's pray for the World Cup in China.

and let it last for some years, please

3 hours ago, arithai12 said:

Good.

And now, let's pray for the World Cup in China.

Will the chinese get zero dollar tickets???

59 minutes ago, Geoffggi said:

One other avenue for thought is Thailand is getting way too expensive, and this topic is a common conversation piece in bars.

I'm in Pattaya now as a break from Bangkok and it's dirt cheap. 

 

Your bar stool analyst buddies did they expand on what is expensive? 

 

I'm guessing porn the beer bar girl put her price up from 1000 bath to 1100 because "no hab customer" 

4 hours ago, MekkOne said:

Travellers are not staying home because of the world cup, they don't even stay home, they are in Cambodia, Vietnam, Myanmar, Malaysia, Indonesia... Countries that are ready to take over the turism because they actually have policies to lure tourists no to make them run.

Agree, but 'lure' is a TAT word implying the attempt to trap a victim. Most say business is worse than usual low season, but also see new and competing business opening.

With ridgid laws preventing bars remaining open for games Thailand is/was not the venue to incorporate the World cup into your holiday plans this year.

Thailand is bidding for the World Cup venue in 2034.  If won and for those still alive, watch how prices will rocket then!

Oh no. Qatar’s got the next one then the USA. 

6 minutes ago, Kadilo said:

Oh no. Qatar’s got the next one then the USA. 

with our recent enemies, Canada and Mexico

6 minutes ago, Emster23 said:

with our recent enemies, Canada and Mexico

Should be interesting. 

We're dooomed Captain Mannering, we're dooomed.

16 hours ago, InMyShadow said:

I'm in Pattaya now as a break from Bangkok and it's dirt cheap. 

 

Your bar stool analyst buddies did they expand on what is expensive? 

 

I'm guessing porn the beer bar girl put her price up from 1000 bath to 1100 because "no hab customer" 

Try moving out of the backstreet bars then check the price of beers & ladies of the night, also shopping prices, compared to many European countries Thailand is no longer a cheap holiday place as the Baht is way too strong.