The South Sees Sharp Drop In Tourists

The South sees sharp drop in tourists

SONGKHLA: -- The number of tourists visiting Thailand’s three

Southern most provinces has plummeted dramatically according to the Chairman of the House Committee on Tourism, Songsak Thongsri.

The number of tourists arriving in the troubled South has fallen by 70 percent since the violence erupted earlier this year.

Many businesses have begun to feel the pinch, Mr Songsak told TNA, particularly those involved in the tourist trade.

Malaysian tourists, who were previously the main visitors to the Southern

provinces, have been driven away by the unrest.

It has particularly affected the main regional town of Songkla, a major

tourist destination in the South.

“We want to hear from local people what is going on, and what we could do to

improve the situation,” Songsak told a meeting of government officials and

private business organisations in Songkla recently.

“The three southern-most provinces and Songkla are a very real tourist

potential and should be able to attract many visitors, yet, they lack good

management to support the tourism business,” he added.

The joint meeting was held to find ways to develop the tourist industry in

South and to see what development projects could be created to help boost

tourism to the area.

-- TNA 2004-08-01