Khao San Road Feels Pinch as European Tourists Hold Off on Bookings - video

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Bangkok's celebrated Khao San Road, long a hub of backpacker activity, faces a slump in hotel reservations just ahead the festive season. Khaosan Business Association President Sanga Ruangwattanakul attributes the decline to European tourists' uncertainty amidst the persisting Russia-Ukraine conflict.

 

Coinciding with a wider downturn, reservations for the key dates of December 30 to December 31 have decreased to approximate 60%, falling from last year's 70%. European visitors, predominantly from the UK, France, Germany, and Italy, usually contribute to 80% of Khao San's tourist demographic, with a lesser proportion hailing from other Asian countries.

 

In spite of the disappointing figures, Sanga remains positive, anticipating an influx of bookings closer to the festive period. Khao San Road, staying true to its energetic character, will host a New Year’s Eve countdown that aims to attract between 50,000 to 70,000 tourists. On an average, each tourist spends around 1,000 baht thereby potentially injecting over 70 million baht into the local economy.

 

 

Christmas festivities will commence on December 24 with a splendid display of Christmas lights. Sanga is optimistic about Khao San's enduring appeal as a tourist hot-spot, although he admits that sales of alcohol, a significant contributor to revenues, haven’t been as buoyant. A lack of spending from Thai visitors, conscious of financial constraints, is a factor dimming economic vibrancy.

 

To circumvent these financial challenges, Sanga proposes government measures to stimulate consumer spending, including tax breaks through initiatives such as Easy E-Receipt or the Khon La Khreung co-payment subsidy. He also supports plans to enhance revenues by focusing on the 5F industries — food, film, festivals, Thai boxing, and fashion — to attract more global tourists to Thailand.

 

Despite current obstacles, hopes remain high for Khao San Road as the New Year’s Eve countdown closes in. The belief is that the celebrated strip will once again buzz with the vibrancy and dynamism that make it an essential stop on every traveller's itinerary.

 

 

File photo for reference only

 

-- 2024-11-25