Coronavirus: Tourism in north takes 70% hit

 

Picture: Daily News

 

The head of the Northern Thailand Hoteliers' Association has painted a grim picture of the effect of the ongoing coronavirus crisis on tourism in the north. 

 

La-iat Bungsrithong told Daily News that hoteliers in Chiang Mai would lose 70% of their trade in January and February due to cancellations of Chinese tour groups. 

 

The cancellations are being felt most keenly in the four and five star hotels. 

 

She said that the Standard Tour company that handles tours and booking for 50-60 hotels had seen widespread cancellations. 

 

Refunds have been given and there are hopes that tours can be delayed until March when the situation might improve. 

 

But if it doesn't then La-iat expects a massive hit to the results for tourism in this quarter.

 

The Tourism Authority of Thailand are holding a meeting in the north this Friday to work out strategies and perhaps examine how "new markets" can take up the slack from the lack of Chinese tours. 

 

Thaivisa notes that many have criticised the Thai tourism industry for putting "all their eggs in one basket" when it comes to the Chinese tour groups that make up a large proportion of visitors to the kingdom. 

 

Traditional markets have been ignored in the clamor to welcome the Chinese, they say, and now Thailand is paying the price. 

 

Source: Daily News

 

 

 

-- © Copyright Thai Visa News 2020-01-29

Follow Thaivisa on LINE for breaking Thailand news and visa info

Crash baht crash.

2 minutes ago, khwaibah said:

Crash baht crash.

Its gotta happen soon.

2 minutes ago, Rookiescot said:

Its gotta happen soon.

In most people his / her dreams.. just not in reality.

12 minutes ago, webfact said:

"new markets" can take up the slack

Thinking "out of the box" just isn't their thing, their heads are stuck deep deep down in the in the money sack.

Tourism in north takes 70% hit

 

I think that was already happening before the virus.

For the TAT it is great, now they can blame whole 2020 because of the virus....

Quote

The Tourism Authority of Thailand are holding a meeting in the north this Friday to work out strategies and perhaps examine how "new markets" can take up the slack from the lack of Chinese tours. 

No one will be taking up the slack. You can't entice people to an infected area.

16 minutes ago, cmsally said:

No one will be taking up the slack. You can't entice people to an infected area.

Chernobyl is quite popular I hear ????

Not to worry! Only temporary, and it will catch up quickly. The Big Leader has promised they have all under control.

Who really welcomed the Chinese in Thailand ?

5 minutes ago, Deli said:

Who really welcomed the Chinese in Thailand ?

Have fear! Do not dig in secrets that have been well hidden. You do not want to be an enemy of the state. 

10 minutes ago, Deli said:

Who really welcomed the Chinese in Thailand ?

The people who profit the most from them.

4 hours ago, webfact said:

Refunds have been given and there are hopes that tours can be delayed until March when the situation might improve. 

Yes, come back to northern Thailand in March so you experience some of the most polluted air in the world.
 

Don’t forget your mask.

5 hours ago, webfact said:

The head of the Northern Thailand Hoteliers' Association has painted a grim picture of the effect of the ongoing coronavirus crisis on tourism in the north. 

 

La-iat Bungsrithong told Daily News that hoteliers in Chiang Mai would lose 70% of their trade in January and February due to cancellations of Chinese tour groups. 

Money Money Money the only thing that motivates this government what about safety plans for the common people

Just buy another submarine...that I’ll fix the problem 

5 hours ago, robblok said:

In most people his / her dreams.. just not in reality.

The rate of exchange has depreciated nearly 1 Baht to the UK pound over 5 days and Baht going down every day.... 49.3224....right now 15.42..this means as a pensioner here... about 1000baht extra this month.. About time too!!!!...I believe BOT will now let it slide slowly, it's the best focused excuse with all other circumstances exports blah blah.... (UK leaving EU....a plus for the Pound

6 hours ago, webfact said:

Traditional markets have been ignored in the clamor to welcome the Chinese, they say, and now Thailand is paying the price. 

The Trojan horse has got in the gate... now wait to see what the damage will be.

2 hours ago, Matzzon said:

Have fear! Do not dig in secrets that have been well hidden. You do not want to be an enemy of the state. 

I thought you were reading us your fortune cookie ticket.  Then the last sentence reminded me, we're in Thailand.

45 minutes ago, hashmodha said:

The rate of exchange has depreciated nearly 1 Baht to the UK pound over 5 days and Baht going down every day.... 49.3224....right now 15.42..this means as a pensioner here... about 1000baht extra this month.. About time too!!!!...I believe BOT will now let it slide slowly, it's the best focused excuse with all other circumstances exports blah blah.... (UK leaving EU....a plus for the Pound

49.32??? you're 10 baht adrift, my son.

2 hours ago, Deli said:

Who really welcomed the Chinese in Thailand ?

Possible answer (from Wikipedia):-

"Thai Chinese are a well established middle class ethnic group and are well represented in all levels of Thai society.^{[8][9][10][11][12]} They play a leading role in Thailand's business sector and dominate the Thai economy today.^{[13][14][15][16]} In addition, Thai Chinese have a strong presence in Thailand's political scene with most of Thailand's former Prime Ministers and the majority of parliament having at least some Chinese ancestry.^{[17][18][19][20]} Thais of Chinese descent are also well represented among Thailand's military and ..... (at this point I will stop as I do not want to be arrested!)

Sorry. This article lost me at 4 and 5 star hotels and Chinese tour groups.. 

2 hours ago, miamiman123 said:

Just buy another submarine...that I’ll fix the problem 

As I have reflected on the US ... you are defending what???

1 hour ago, stephenterry said:

49.32??? you're 10 baht adrift, my son.

9 ???? 

No probs. here as yet with smog or coronavirus but then I live up north NOT Chiang Mai !

4 hours ago, Deli said:

Who really welcomed the Chinese in Thailand ?

Kobkarn.

China advises ability of Coronavirus to spread getting stronger.

 

https://youtu.be/9NMi-O4SMBQ

10 hours ago, robblok said:

In most people his / her dreams.. just not in reality.

It ain't crashing, but it is definitely moving in the right direction:

 

Beware of Chinese bearing gifts...

 

Karma comes a calling...

 

Som naam naa......hello teerak....I miss u grandpa..please come back..buffalo sick..

 

Bringing Happiness back to the thais......

4 hours ago, toofarnorth said:

No probs. here as yet with smog or coronavirus but then I live up north NOT Chiang Mai !

You must be "too far North" to be affected then?

Don't worry. I remember when the Russian were expunged from Pattaya when the oil prices plummeted. The one that had their eggs in one basket disappeared fairly quickly, but the voids left by them were filled just as fast by the Chinese. So, dear North, enjoy the next wave of ... Nigerians. What do they eat, anyway?

 

Somnamnaa, m**************s.