CHIANG MAI (NNT) - The upper northern chapter of the Thai Hotels Association (THA) has indicated that Thai travelers still make up the majority of tourists booking accommodations following the lifting of the Test & Go policy.

 

According to the organization, the booking rate has been around 15%, with 10,000 to 30,000 rooms currently in service - a vast improvement over last year.

 

Most hotel operators report that international guest numbers are still low, as is typical for the season. Nevertheless, hotels in Chiang Mai and other northern provinces are performing better than in other regions. This has been helped by the availability of direct flights between Chiang Mai and Singapore, with more routes to other countries expected to reopen in the near future.

 

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The THA expects Thai travelers to remain the bulk of their customers from the third quarter onwards, and urged the administration to continue promoting domestic tourism.

 

The association also said it supported the 5th phase of the “We Travel Together” campaign, noting that businesses have benefited immensely from the program.

 

-- © Copyright NNT 2022-05-03

 

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Two days after the latest change in entry conditions the hotels are not seeing a rush of foreign visitors. 

I wonder why that is.

Note to BoA:  There’s a direct correlation to intervention induced Baht strength, and half empty hotels.

12 hours ago, snoop1130 said:

The upper northern chapter of the Thai Hotels Association (THA) has indicated that Thai travelers still make up the majority of tourists booking accommodations following the lifting of the Test & Go policy.

Well that's not hard to figure out.

4 hours ago, Chang_paarp said:

Two days after the latest change in entry conditions the hotels are not seeing a rush of foreign visitors. 

I wonder why that is.

Maybe the huge numbers are all still stuck queuing in immigration and  thai pass / insurance collection to get in !

What is the correct number? 15% from 10.000 or 15% from 30.000. Shows you how these guys think everybody is as stupid as them and how they get their numbers ????

 

Still ridiculously expensive especially for Thais to have a descent holiday in Chiang Mai.

 

Many realize money spent on food and drinks at home is a better proposition.

 

For many Thais, visiting Chiang Mai is a "I've been there already" and prefer a place where theres reasonably priced food and accomodations.

As long as they have money, the Thais will continue to do so - keep an eye on the governmental kindness of subsidy as you're paying it through your tax money. 

As long as the access to Thailand remains plastered with typical Thai bureaucracy, funny ideas of landing tax of 300 Baht, two-tier pricing, a visa mess of the finest order and corruption literally almost anywhere you look ..... Embassies do not answer phones nor reply to emails and the aliens and dirty Farang are looked down upon.

As long as that prevails, yes, indeed, Thais will be the majority clientele - maybe you keep it that way round. 

This bunch of money-loaded customers you do actually not like has found alternatives in the Caribbean, Central and South America, Senegal and many beautiful, partly less expensive destinations in Europe. There is a message somewhere but it takes an IQ above the shoe size to understand, accept and work on that!

I still read my Thai information book from a travel company, as it explained the reasons

for low season and high season in most tropical countries.  It is not just the fact that people

with children do not travel during the school season, then the weather being warm from Mid April to

November in most of the Norther hemisphere is a factor as well. Winter time conditions in the northern countries

help people decide to try a bit of time in any tropical country, to escape the snow and cold for a few weeks.

  When the threat of COVID restrictions are all gone, tourism may start to improve, but only if the restrictions

and threats of a hospital stay are also gone.  Extra COVID insurance and Thailand pass will hopefully be gone

before October as well, in Thailand's case.  Glad people are still being domestic travelers and helping the

economy out as best they can.