webfact Posted April 21 Share Posted April 21 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 Get our Daily Newsletter - Click HERE to subscribe 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post smedly Posted April 21 Popular Post Share Posted April 21 there are many that leave or avoid pattaya during the songkran week of madness 5 4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post Henryford Posted April 21 Popular Post Share Posted April 21 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? 1 1 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hotchilli Posted April 21 Share Posted April 21 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 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sticky Rice Balls Posted April 21 Share Posted April 21 *searches for article I just saw that claimed to have massive booking there*..aha..the merger right on track! https://thethaiger.com/news/national/pattaya-sees-record-tourist-surge-during-songkran Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
scotsdude Posted April 21 Share Posted April 21 Always wanting their cake and eating it.... Two days was enough... 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
expat_4_life Posted April 22 Share Posted April 22 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. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ChipButty Posted April 22 Share Posted April 22 Same here in Phuket it's slowing down when I speak to people they all say the same, Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Aussie999 Posted April 22 Share Posted April 22 Fake news, I only trust TAT stats... 555 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mikebell Posted April 22 Share Posted April 22 Well Saturday traffic was snarled up beyond belief. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jacko45k Posted April 22 Share Posted April 22 Despite of Songkran or because of Songkran? 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SAFETY FIRST Posted April 22 Share Posted April 22 6 hours ago, webfact said: Dip in Pattaya hotel occupancy despite Songkran festivities They are all staying in the illegal Airbnb. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ikke1959 Posted April 22 Share Posted April 22 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 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BigStar Posted April 22 Share Posted April 22 But have we tracked sales of water guns? Up, down? 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
daejung Posted April 22 Share Posted April 22 Had I known, I would never have arrived in Pattaya on friday 19th. Three hours to get soaked to my hotel, almost empty. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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