Thai Operator to Reopen Hotels as Worst of Pandemic Seen Over

By Randy Thanthong-Knight

 

File photo for reference only *
 

Centara Hotels & Resorts, owned by one of Thailand’s richest families, is preparing to reopen properties shuttered in the wake of a new wave of coronavirus outbreak, betting wider global vaccine availability and easing containment measures will revive tourism.

 

Centara, the hospitality unit of Bangkok-listed Central Plaza Hotel Pcl, will also open eight new properties in countries, including Thailand, Turkey and the United Arab Emirates, Deputy Chief Executive Officer Markland Blaiklock said. The hotel chain, controlled by the Chirathivat family, expects a resumption in regional traffic in the third quarter and some international travel in the following three months, he said.

 

Thailand has relaxed curbs on businesses and travel after a new wave of infections eased and it’s now betting on nationwide vaccine rollout to revive its tourism-reliant economy. The Southeast Asian nation saw foreign tourist arrivals slump to 6.7 million last year, a fraction of the 40 million visitors in 2019 who generated more than $60 billion in revenues.

 

Full story: https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2021-02-04/thai-operator-to-reopen-hotels-as-worst-of-pandemic-seen-behind

 

 

-- © Copyright Bloomberg 2021-02-05

 

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*The original image in the Bloomberg article has been changed to a file photo

Happy that it will generate jobs locally.

But I don't think that they will see a lot of tourists - but kudos for the positive attitude.

A good plan  - IF - the Thai government can give some sort of opening up plan for tourists to actually plan along with the airlines. If they open now or in a few months, they'll be closed again by summer

As usual, the country is entirely uncoordinated with no well thought plans. 

 

If they open now, they'll be burning through money with very few tourists. Of course, if it helps keep regular Thai workers marginally employed, then great. 

 

If the country was smart, they would have been and would be investing heavily into a variety of infrastructure and reforms to prepare for a revival of tourism that is not coming this year guaranteed. 

 

They are such shortsighted people. Too bad. 

This is a missed opportunity to create infrastructure to employ locals, enrich the general economy, and be ready when the world returns to the new "normal" (a word I dislike).

A policitcal friend once said "never waste a good crisis", this crisis is a missed opportunity on so many levels, too much time spent chest beating and not coordinating future plans.

 

The above 2 posts are right on the money but their post are like preaching to the choir stating the obvious, something that is beyond this country law makes to follow on a simple logic and right in front of their faces...

went to one of their Hotels in Dec in Sri Racha so they were not closed for long

4 hours ago, webfact said:

The hotel chain, controlled by the Chirathivat family, expects a resumption in regional traffic in the third quarter and some international travel in the following three months, he said.

Good luck with that dream!

Also as for Phuket aiming for Oct....trying to vaccinate the island folks by then....

 

https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2021-02-02/are-you-vaccinated-if-so-phuket-wants-you-there-by-october

Happy for the staff that get their jobs back.

 

But feels a little early to be opening now.

 

The vaccine follies also have a long way to go.

 

Hope they know something we don't.

Does the hotel owner have any "connections" in the government? 

54 minutes ago, RotBenz8888 said:

Does the hotel owner have any "connections" in the government? 

I am assuming that is a rhetorical question