Songkran holiday unlikely to boost outbound trips due to high airfares

[webfact]

Despite the extended Songkran holiday, a surge in outbound trips is not anticipated, mainly due to high airfares and deflation risk concerns. This perspective comes from travel agents who predict that the 21-day ‘Water Festival’ campaign is more likely to entice foreign tourists than the local market.

 

Kriangphon Piyaekchai, the vice president of the Thai Travel Agents Association, explained, “This holiday is no longer a high season for outbound trips as before the pandemic”. He further clarified that the recovering aviation industry’s high airfares mean only travellers with significant purchasing power can afford to travel during Songkran. The rest prefer domestic trips or delayed travel until it becomes more affordable.

 

Kriangphon noted that a five-day tour package to Japan during the Songkran holiday now begins at 40,000 baht (US$1,112), a steep increase from the pre-pandemic price of approximately 30,000 baht (US$834). Furthermore, the limited number of charter flights available during the Songkran holiday to accommodate outbound demand is another hindrance, reported Bangkok Post.

 

Despite the government’s recent extension of the Songkran holiday to five days, Kriangphon believes it won’t stimulate outbound trips as most travellers book their trips several months in advance.

Chaiyapruk Thongkam, president of the Association of Domestic Travel, anticipates that 65% of Thai tourists will opt for domestic travel during Songkran, with half of them visiting their hometowns. Chaiyapruk suggests that domestic tourists might extend their trips to 5-6 days, up from the usual 3-4 days, potentially benefitting second-tier destinations.

The Tourism and Sports Minister, Sudawan Wangsuphakijkosol, has proposed a 100-million-baht budget to host the Maha Songkran World Water Festival 2024 in Bangkok and upcountry between April 11-15. However, Chaiyapruk expressed scepticism about the event’s ability to attract domestic tourists, suggesting it may appeal more to foreigners.

 

Chaiyapruk recommends that the government focus on long-term tourism sustainability by improving attractions and addressing the PM2.5 crisis in the North and Northeast, which currently deters upcountry tourism. He also advocates for support for tour operators still recovering from the pandemic’s impact.

 

by Alex Morgan

Photo courtesy of iStock

 

Full story: The Thaiger 2024-02-21

 

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[flyingtlger]

7 minutes ago, webfact said:

Association of Domestic Travel, anticipates that 65% of Thai tourists will opt for domestic travel during Songkran, with half of them visiting their hometowns.

That's the usual case.....

[bamnutsak]

5 minutes ago, webfact said:

Kriangphon noted that a five-day tour package to Japan during the Songkran holiday now begins at 40,000 baht (US$1,112), a steep increase from the pre-pandemic price of approximately 30,000 baht (US$834).

 

This ejit is comparing today's price to that from four years ago.

 

Honestly, I'm surprised these people can manage to find their way to the bathroom.

 

Most savvy travelers, who are planning a trip around a known extended holiday like Songkran, have booked their tickets and accommodations already.

 

 

 

 

[mancub]

17 minutes ago, webfact said:

Chaiyapruk Thongkam, president of the Association of Domestic Travel, anticipates that 65% of Thai tourists will opt for domestic travel during Songkran

Meaning that 35% of Thai tourists will travel internationally then ? 

[Geoffggi]

Let's hope the higher air fares deter people coming here .........LOL

[hotchilli]

5 hours ago, flyingtlger said:

That's the usual case.....

TAT would like a 21 day bonanza....  it's going to be well short of that.

[Cabradelmar]

People still need to work... unless all businesses plan to close for 21 days, domestic travel will not see people taking 21 day holidays. 

[fotunate]

just yesterday I was searching for flights to various locations in Japan and Australia for the songkran period and found a lot of "flight not available" on various airline websites plus kayak.com 

[thai006]

Every year same same 🤣🤣

[blazes]

Fear not, the loss of Thai tourists will be compensated for by the huge influx of expats from various parts of Thailand to Bangkok during the one week of the year when the city is more or less quiet and unpolluted.

[Mywayboy]

Taylor Swift performed in Melbourne Australia airfares increased 30%.

That's business sadly price gouging.

[Charlest1971]

6 hours ago, bamnutsak said:

 

This ejit is comparing today's price to that from four years ago.

 

Honestly, I'm surprised these people can manage to find their way to the bathroom.

 

Most savvy travelers, who are planning a trip around a known extended holiday like Songkran, have booked their tickets and accommodations already.

 

 

 

 

OK. Einstein.  Explain this. In the UK, for at least, 5 years [2014-2019], prices of flights from the UK to Japan, were between £650 - 850. This price range did not rise, during this period. After the pandemic, air fares rocketed upwards. Flights are now between £1200 - 2000 [econmomy class]
Now I realised energy prices spiked at the beginning of the Ukraine war, but Europe has now sourced energy from new suppliers, and energy prices are almost back to what they were at the start of 2022?
This seems like it is a way for air lines to hike prices, to compensate for the CV19 period.

Airlines have made vast profits for decades. They would have had a large profit buffer, to ride the CV19 period.

This is now just a scam. 🤷‍♀️

[Bangkok Barry]

 

So Thais flee Thailand during Songkran too. I thought it was only us who like to do that 

[Jumbo1968]

If the airlines can fill the flights at the current prices they are not going to reduce them, they are making up for the losses during Covid.Pre Covid my average return flight from Newcastle in the U.K. was around £500, now it can be much as double that. 

Edited February 21 by Jumbo1968
Edit

[Guderian]

7 hours ago, webfact said:

a surge in outbound trips is not anticipated, mainly due to high airfares and deflation risk concerns.

 

Can someone please explain what they mean by 'deflation risk concerns'?

Are they concerned that their inflatable toys might get a puncture, lol?

[bamnutsak]

1 hour ago, Mywayboy said:

Taylor Swift performed in Melbourne Australia airfares increased 30%.

That's business sadly price gouging.

 

It's called supply and demand.

 

Along with some complex pricing models which drive people into higher fare buckets as the seats sell on a particular flight.

 

 

As Warren Buffet said about investing in airlines...“If a capitalist had been present at Kitty Hawk back in the early 1900s he should’ve shot Orville Wright; he would have saved his progeny money.”

Edited February 21 by bamnutsak

[jesimps]

2 hours ago, hotchilli said:

TAT would like a 21 day bonanza....  it's going to be well short of that.

Except for the local eejits who stand beside the roads in and out of Pattaya who manage to spin it out for two weeks as things stand. I'm sure they'll give it a good go. They're there from morning until night so none of them can have jobs anyway. How come they don't get bored???

[Tropicalevo]

44 minutes ago, Charlest1971 said:

OK. Einstein.  Explain this. In the UK, for at least, 5 years [2014-2019], prices of flights from the UK to Japan, were between £650 - 850. This price range did not rise, during this period. After the pandemic, air fares rocketed upwards. Flights are now between £1200 - 2000 [econmomy class]
Now I realised energy prices spiked at the beginning of the Ukraine war, but Europe has now sourced energy from new suppliers, and energy prices are almost back to what they were at the start of 2022?
This seems like it is a way for air lines to hike prices, to compensate for the CV19 period.

Airlines have made vast profits for decades. They would have had a large profit buffer, to ride the CV19 period.

This is now just a scam. 🤷‍♀️

I am not Einstein (sorry) but from what I read.....

 

There are fewer serviceable planes and fewer flight crews available since Covid. Labour shortages in all skill sets in the industry. Maintenance, baggage handlers, airport workers, everywhere.

There are less airlines covering long haul routes. Airlines are still recovering from losses during Covid.

Pre Covid, here on Koh Samui, we had up to six other International airlines from other countries flying in. Now we only have Bangkok Airways (but they are flying more routes).

So - there are less seats available to most destinations.

 

Since Covid, people are desperate to travel again and in the European winter, Thailand is a popular destination.

So there is even more demand.

Airline pricing has always been based on  - empty seats, sell them cheap. Fill up the plane.

Now, there are very few empty seats so it is 'normal' high pricing.

Nothing to do with a scam. Just the pricing algorithms.

[AhFarangJa]

1 hour ago, Mywayboy said:

Taylor Swift performed in Melbourne Australia airfares increased 30%.

That's business sadly price gouging.

Disgraceful, fleecing all those people trying to get out of Melbourne for a few days.

[hotchilli]

1 hour ago, jesimps said:

How come they don't get bored???

No brain ?

[Bday Prang]

9 hours ago, mancub said:

Meaning that 35% of Thai tourists will travel internationally then ? 

Maybe meaning they will catch a bus or stay at home

 

9 hours ago, webfact said:

Chaiyapruk suggests that domestic tourists might extend their trips to 5-6 days, up from the usual 3-4 days, potentially benefitting second-tier destinations.

yet potentially  depriving their own home towns of the related extra revenue ?

[Bday Prang]

3 hours ago, blazes said:

Fear not, the loss of Thai tourists will be compensated for by the huge influx of expats from various parts of Thailand to Bangkok during the one week of the year when the city is more or less quiet and unpolluted.

Jesus imagine bangkok full of all the miserable geriatrics off this forum,  I think I'd rather be in Pattaya

[geisha]

2 hours ago, Tropicalevo said:

I am not Einstein (sorry) but from what I read.....

 

There are fewer serviceable planes and fewer flight crews available since Covid. Labour shortages in all skill sets in the industry. Maintenance, baggage handlers, airport workers, everywhere.

There are less airlines covering long haul routes. Airlines are still recovering from losses during Covid.

Pre Covid, here on Koh Samui, we had up to six other International airlines from other countries flying in. Now we only have Bangkok Airways (but they are flying more routes).

So - there are less seats available to most destinations.

 

Since Covid, people are desperate to travel again and in the European winter, Thailand is a popular destination.

So there is even more demand.

Airline pricing has always been based on  - empty seats, sell them cheap. Fill up the plane.

Now, there are very few empty seats so it is 'normal' high pricing.

Nothing to do with a scam. Just the pricing algorithms.

Agree where certain destinations like Thailand are concerned. A September flight Nice France to Bristol, easyJet, with a suitcase 300€.  That’s 1hr 25 mins flight . No other options with a case. I choose BA Nice Heathrow and then airport link to Bristol , all cheaper than easyjet and nicer. Second flight , Nice to Venice December , with easyjet, no other option , 300€ + . 1 hour flight. Late leaving, late arriving , awful.  Emirates to Bangkok has greatly increased in price, I’ve used for many years , now I fly Swiss Air through Zurich. Fantastic and great service, delicious food and much cheaper.  You have to pick and choose . In France where my main home is, people are using trains a lot. Also in Italy, Spain. Took a few Frecciarossa trains in Italy and it’s 1st class luxury ! I think trains are the future , not necessarily much longer  as no check in or airport wait and stations mostly in the cities . The number of luxury bus coach companies have sprung up in EU too, making travel a lot cheaper. 

[Dolf]

9 hours ago, Geoffggi said:

Let's hope the higher air fares deter people coming here .........LOL

Bangkok to Phuket is only 1400 baht on 13th April. Cheaper on the 15th.

[mancub]

35 minutes ago, Bday Prang said:

Maybe meaning they will catch a bus or stay at home

 

yet potentially  depriving their own home towns of the related extra revenue ?

Meaning either they'll be domestic tourists as in the 65% mentioned.....or they won't actually be tourists at all.

[Tropicalevo]

3 hours ago, geisha said:

Also in Italy, Spain. Took a few Frecciarossa trains in Italy and it’s 1st class luxury ! I think trains are the future , not necessarily much longer  as no check in or airport wait and stations mostly in the cities . The number of luxury bus coach companies have sprung up in EU too, making travel a lot cheaper. 

Good to read. Thank you.

It does not help us here in Asia, but for European travel - good stuff.

[MrJ2U]

Not much competition especially with the demise of Thai Smile (swallowed up by its parent Thai Airways).

 

I found it the only descent domestic airline.

 

AirAsia, with all is add ons tends to get expensive. 

[geisha]

2 hours ago, Tropicalevo said:

Good to read. Thank you.

It does not help us here in Asia, but for European travel - good stuff.

Well, Thailand Malaysia, Singapore even Burma has a train service, Vietnam too. Nice places to visit everywhere and very cheap. Would be nice to have a some good 1 st class service. Lots of Thais take buses, there are never enough at holiday time , some good planning and investment needed. 

[NoshowJones]

18 hours ago, AhFarangJa said:

Disgraceful, fleecing all those people trying to get out of Melbourne for a few days.

Capitalism at it's best. A real Capitalist is the worst type of person on earth bettered only by rapists and paedophile's.

Edited February 22 by NoshowJones

[mokwit]

Disagree, people will pay ANYTHING to get away from 5 days of Sonkran.