Chiang Mai airport’s 24/7 operation boosts hopes for tourism rebound

[webfact]

 

The tourism sector is gearing up for an influx of foreign visitors as Chiang Mai Airport prepares to operate round-the-clock from November. This move is expected to open up the northern region to more international tourists arriving on direct flights.

 

Sittipong Wongsomboon, general manager of Northern Smile Travel, stated that the average hotel occupancy rate for September had dipped to 30-35% from 70-80% in August, due to the slow period for tourism. He noted that the Chiang Mai market had adapted to target independent travellers post-pandemic, with several hotels adjusting their strategies to secure better room rates despite the reduced number of tourists.

 

Sittipong, who also founded the Hotels in Chiang Mai group, revealed that around 35 boutique hotels located in central Chiang Mai and related businesses had joined forces to enhance their services rather than opting for lower prices.

 

by Alex Morgan

Image by Gábor Tikos via Flickr

 

Full story: The Thaiger 2023-09-30

 

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[daveAustin]

Ooh, that'll upset those on the flightpath, esp in Hang Dong! Remember it being quite loud even miles out in the east. Also, please don't tempt billions of noisy tourists there; send em all to Pattaya or one of 'them' places ????

[ourmanflint]

I see, so inconvenience tens of thousands on flight paths so a few hotel owners don't have to lower their prices. 

[sqwakvfr]

Just my thoughts on this:  I have been a pilot for over 30 years and I just think an airport with a single runway  should not operate 24 hours a day.  Even LAX with 4 10,000 foot runways terminates most flight operations at midnight.. The terrain that surrounds CNX airport does not make it conducive for reverse operations (that is take off and land to the south).  But always remember:  TIT.  Safety is just lip service. 

[nglodnig]

3 hours ago, daveAustin said:

on the flightpath, esp in Hang Dong!

It's mostly over Big C / Homepro - I hardly notice it where I am (Hang Dong town)

[ChipButty]

2 hours ago, sqwakvfr said:

Just my thoughts on this:  I have been a pilot for over 30 years and I just think an airport with a single runway  should not operate 24 hours a day.  Even LAX with 4 10,000 foot runways terminates most flight operations at midnight.. The terrain that surrounds CNX airport does not make it conducive for reverse operations (that is take off and land to the south).  But always remember:  TIT.  Safety is just lip service. 

They dont worry about lttle things like that here

[ChipButty]

enhance their services rather than opting for lower prices.

 

Does that include staff training and food hygiene? buy a toaster that works 

 

[Sweet Swede]

I hope the pilots will be able to see the runway in March/April when sight is a problem, even during daytime. And during that time, is there really anyone who wants to visit Chiang Mai with close to zero visibility and need for supplementary breathing equipment? There is to many officials that are more suited for manual labour, than having a profession making unrealistic plans with a narrow in city airport, with almost no space to expand.  

[Middle Aged Grouch]

It could work and be popular provided the flights are reliable, friendly service on domestic flights and mainly very friendly prices. If not, no chance.

 

Not to forget that more and more tourists are environmental conscious and are asking for fast high speed direct rail connections from Bangkok city that connect directly to the Airport, to Hua Hin and Chang Mai with direct connections at reasonnable rates. This may happen...in 50 or 100 years who knows...

[Yorkshire Tea]

6 hours ago, webfact said:

This move is expected to open up the northern region to more international tourists arriving on direct flights.

Middle of night arrivals?  From China?

[ChipButty]

14 minutes ago, Yorkshire Tea said:

Middle of night arrivals?  From China?

Loads of them, 

[SiSePuede419]

Wake me up when they have direct flights to Chiang Rai. ????

[CNXBKKMAN]

I doubt there will be more than 3 or 4 flights during the middle of the night, with a spike during CNY.  Most foreign tourists want beaches and islands which CM doesn't have.