Tourism revival in Thailand risks airport slot overcrowding, suggests alternative options

[webfact]

 

In anticipation of the upcoming high season, Thailand’s Tourism Authority (TAT) has expressed concerns over the slot capacity at international airports. As more flights are set to resume, it is predicted that the country will receive around 8 million tourists this year, primarily derived from long-haul markets anticipating a significant tourism revival.

 

The deputy governor for Europe, Africa, the Middle East, and the Americas of the TAT, Siripakorn Cheawsamoot, 42 years old, remains hopeful about the revival of international tourism. This optimism arises from the resumption of flights, which are currently at over 70% of the scale observed in 2019, he conveyed.

 

The TAT’s expectations for overall foreign visitors this year include at least six million individuals from Europe, one million from the Americas, and an estimated half a million from the Middle East.

Despite gradual improvements in ground handling matters, the main concerns now lie with the potential overcrowding of flight slots during the cool, or high season.

 

The resumption is predicted to reach 85% of the 2019 level, due to a rising number of airlines applying for new slots at popular airports such as Suvarnabhumi International Airport in Bangkok and Phuket’s International Airport.

 

by Alex Morgan 

Photo courtesy of Bangkok Post

 

Full story: https://thethaiger.com/news/business/thailand-tourism-revival-risks-airport-slot-overcrowding-suggests-alternative-options

 

 

-- © Copyright Thaiger 2023-08-02

 

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[Geoffggi]

Alternatively,  book some other destination that is better organised to receive & treat tourists in a correct way ..................LOL

[JoePai]

Could they not open and use the new Terminal ?

[Smokey and the Bandit]

"The resumption is predicted to reach 85% of the 2019 level, due to a rising number of airlines applying for new slots at popular airports such as Suvarnabhumi International Airport in Bangkok and Phuket’s International Airport"

 

So not up to 2019. pre covid, capacity. But didn't they manage OK in 2019?

[hotchilli]

5 hours ago, webfact said:

In anticipation of the upcoming high season, Thailand’s Tourism Authority (TAT) has expressed concerns over the slot capacity at international airports.

Meanwhile TAT has confirmed the slot capacity at Thai resorts are adequately covered.

[hotchilli]

44 minutes ago, Smokey and the Bandit said:

"The resumption is predicted to reach 85% of the 2019 level, due to a rising number of airlines applying for new slots at popular airports such as Suvarnabhumi International Airport in Bangkok and Phuket’s International Airport"

 

So not up to 2019. pre covid, capacity. But didn't they manage OK in 2019?

Almost

[PETERTHEEATER]

Six million from Europe. One million from the Americas and and estmated five hundred thousand from the Middle East.

Does this mean the predicted Golden Horde will definitely not materialise?

[StayinThailand2much]

So, if numbers are still (well) below those in 2019, was there 'overcrowding' back then, and, if yes, what have they done in the four years since then? Or did they expect the pandemic to go on forever?

Edited August 2, 2023 by StayinThailand2much

[kinyara]

9 minutes ago, PETERTHEEATER said:

Six million from Europe. One million from the Americas and and estmated five hundred thousand from the Middle East.

Does this mean the predicted Golden Horde will definitely not materialise?

There would have to be a pretty dramatic upturn in the second half of the year from current levels to reach their 5 million target for China,  1.4 million as at June with 311k for that month itself.

[BarraMarra]

So will TAT roll out a spokesman and predict a few Million from China and India.

[StayinThailand2much]

26 minutes ago, PETERTHEEATER said:

Six million from Europe. One million from the Americas and and estmated five hundred thousand from the Middle East.

Does this mean the predicted Golden Horde will definitely not materialise?

What's the latest dreamed-up total? "85%" of 39 million (2019) = 33.15 million? - So, where are the remaining 25.15 million supposed to come from? Still not many Chinese coming, so, perhaps half (12.6 million) from Oz, and the "rest" from Bhutan, Nepal, and the Maldives? 

Edited August 2, 2023 by StayinThailand2much

[StayinThailand2much]

9 minutes ago, BarraMarra said:

So will TAT roll out a spokesman and predict a few Million from China and India.

Lots of Indian travellers already, but many 'ifs' to even get half the 2019 number of Chinese tourists. With many in China cash-strapped, perhaps Thailand could offer them all-paid-for zero-dollar-tours*....

 

 

(*Beware: sarcasm!)

[mikebell]

I arrived from Dubai last night, prepared to play my old-age card to circumvent Immigration queues. No need; no queues; two mins & through with my re-entry stamp.  Baggage a further 15 minutes.  NamNam taxi waiting at Meeting Point so on the road in well under one hour.

No sign of any congestion; any where.

[StayinThailand2much]

9 minutes ago, Sticky Rice Balls said:

as yesterdays thread was about TAT wanting to waive visa fees for them......the TAT machine spins relentlessly....what a job that must be

If they waived visa fees, but still not many came, they'd have to find other factors to blame.