Pattaya’s hotels and those in neighbouring provinces have seen a dip in occupancy rates during the Wan Lai Songkran festival. This downturn has prompted hoteliers to critique the promotional strategy for the extended 21-day Songkran celebration.

 

Morrakot Kuldilok, head of the eastern chapter of the Thai Hotels Association (THA), projected that the occupancy rate in Pattaya would touch 70% over the weekend. This expectation is due to the Wan Lai, a late Songkran celebration, taking place in several areas from April 16 to 21, including Bang Saen, Na Kluea, and major Pattaya shopping centres. This figure marks a decrease from the over 90% occupancy experienced during the peak travel period on April 13 to 14.

 

Morrakot also stated that hotels could anticipate a surge in last-minute bookings over the weekend. The Wan Lai festival attracts many young local and regional travellers, who often opt for budget hotels or make day trips. It’s not just Pattaya feeling the influx of visitors; even second-tier provinces like Chanthaburi are seeing tourists drawn by Wan Lai events.

“Even with an economy that’s not at its strongest, domestic tourists are still setting aside a travel budget to visit Pattaya, attracted by the various activities and a range of accommodation options, including budget-friendly choices.”

However, the THA chief noted that repeat guests at four-star and five-star hotels usually check out after the main Songkran events conclude.

 

During the extended holiday period, most hotels operated at full capacity, buoyed by the improved international tourism sentiment, which led to an increase in large tour groups. Despite a high occupancy rate, Pattaya’s average daily room rate remains lower than the 2019 average.

 

Strategy letdown

 

Morrakot estimated that the revenue would reach 80% of the 2019 figure, primarily due to the slow recovery of flights. She criticised the government’s 21-day Songkran promotion, stating that it lacked an effective strategy and that most nationwide events were not distinctive enough to attract tourists.

 

“Compared with Pattaya’s Fireworks Festival, which successfully drew in tourists, many Songkran events failed to entice visitors.”

 

Boonkerd Suksrikarn, the general manager of Sunbeam Hotel in Pattaya and a former vice-president of the association, pointed out that the Wan Lai festival in Chon Buri is not well-known amongst foreigners, reported Bangkok Post.

 

The Sunbeam Hotel manager suggested that these celebrations be amplified on a larger scale, incorporating unique storytelling and appealing cultural content to attract foreign tourists. Most attendees are locals and expatriates, he added.

 

by Alex Morgan

Photo courtesy of Bangkok Post

 

Full story: The Thaiger 2024-04-22

 

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there are many that leave or avoid pattaya during the songkran week of madness

2 minutes ago, smedly said:

there are many that leave or avoid pattaya during the songkran week of madness

 

Yes, i can't imagine many "quality" tourists want to pay to get soaking wet and smeared in chalk.  Did the 4/5 star hotels have any bookings?

11 minutes ago, smedly said:

there are many that leave or avoid pattaya during the songkran week of madness

I think the talk of extended water play put many off... 

Thais might come for a day or two and depart home

Always wanting their cake and eating it.... Two days was enough...

1 hour ago, smedly said:

there are many that leave or avoid pattaya during the songkran week of madness

We are also into the start of the low-season, which the article makes no mention of.
 

Same here in Phuket it's slowing down when I speak to people they all say the same, 

Fake news, I only trust TAT stats... 555

Well Saturday traffic was snarled up beyond belief.

Despite of Songkran or because of Songkran?

 

6 hours ago, webfact said:

Dip in Pattaya hotel occupancy despite Songkran festivities 

They are all staying in the illegal Airbnb. 

21 days Songkran are 20 days too many...Besides that Thailand is not a major  holiday destination anymore, and several outdated rules should be amended.  And let us be fair nobody notice a lot of the 21 day Songkran festivities.. The weeks before were as every year   

But have we tracked sales of water guns? Up, down?

Had I known, I would never have arrived in Pattaya on friday 19th.

Three hours to get soaked to my hotel, almost empty.