Chiang Mai tourism recovery slower than expected despite visa-free policy

[webfact]

 

Despite the gradual revival of tourism, a significant number of rooms in Chiang Mai‘s hotels and the international airport remain unoccupied, with the return of travellers seemingly slower than anticipated post-pandemic. Adding to the concerns is the anticipated PM2.5 dust during the peak season.

 

Over the weekend, Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin undertook an inspection of the airport in light of the recent lifting of visa requirements for Chinese tourists, a policy in effect from September 25 to February 29, 2024. This move is hoped to boost the number of visitors to the region.

 

In anticipation of the expected influx, Chiang Mai International Airport plans to operate round-the-clock starting in November. This adjustment is specifically aimed at accommodating international flights that require late-night departures and early morning arrivals, particularly from China, South Korea, and Japan, according to Vijit Keawsaitiam, the general manager of Chiang Mai Airport.

As per a report by Airports of Thailand (AoT), the primary constraint leading to congestion at the airport is the passenger terminal, not the flight slots, which has the capacity to accommodate 25 flights per hour. Currently, the airport is operating at half the capacity recorded in 2019, suggesting considerable room for growth.

 

by Alex Morgan

Image by Chinese Tourists via Flickr

 

Full story: The Thaiger 2023-09-19

 

- Cigna offers a range of visa-compliant plans that meet the minimum requirement of medical treatment, including COVID-19, up to THB 3m. For more information on all expat health insurance plans click here.

 

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[Tropicalevo]

4 minutes ago, webfact said:

with the return of travellers seemingly slower than anticipated

 

4 minutes ago, webfact said:

In anticipation of the expected influx, Chiang Mai International Airport plans to operate round-the-clock

Is anyone awake up there at the top of the heap?

[SoilSpoil]

The people I talk to don't want to come to Chiang Mai because of all the smog scares in the media. Can't blame them, as it's not only Chiang Mai 's air that is polluted. When you go hiking in the mountains, you'll find plastic rubbish and even micro plastics everywhere. Thailand needs to clean up its act.

[connda]

2 hours ago, webfact said:

Despite the gradual revival of tourism, a significant number of rooms in Chiang Mai‘s hotels and the international airport remain unoccupied, with the return of travellers seemingly slower than anticipated post-pandemic.

Considering that almost all of the businesses in and around the Old City where declared "Non Essential" in 2020, ultimately leading to a large proportion of small and medium sized businesses going bankrupt, closing, and shuttering their store fronts therefore making Thapae and other roads look like a vestige of a bombed out, post-WWII city - yeah, early-returning tourists come then tell their friends back home that Chiang Mai is a mirage of what it used to be, and potential tourists book a different venue for their vacations.  Heck, even Kad Suan Kaow Mall folded.  Who wants to come to Chiang Mai to see half the tourist areas looking like Ghost Towns? 
Well, maybe TAT can market that: "Come To Ghost-Town Chiang Mai!"

[Stargeezr]

Well being in the last half of September, the rainy season is almost over.

Maybe when it gets a bit colder in India and China the tourist numbers will climb.

TAT  does not need to panic just yet. If the numbers are low in November, get a bit more concerned.

[hotchilli]

20 hours ago, webfact said:

Despite the gradual revival of tourism, a significant number of rooms in Chiang Mai‘s hotels and the international airport remain unoccupied, with the return of travellers seemingly slower than anticipated post-pandemic. Adding to the concerns is the anticipated PM2.5 dust during the peak season.

Chiang Mai is old hat, it needs revamping.