Ailing Bangkok hotels beckon protesters

[webfact]

Ailing hotels beckon protesters
SAWITREE RINWONG,
BAMRUNG AMNATCHAROENRIT
THE NATION

BANGKOK: -- MANY HOTELS in areas near anti-government demonstrations have launched promotions, especially discounts, to attract protesters participating in the "Bangkok shutdown", to compensate for a significant drop in foreign tourists coming to the city.

Centara Hotels has reduced the room rates of its four major hotels by 40 per cent to about Bt3,100, including breakfast, down from Bt5,000 per night.

Novotel Bangkok Siam Square is offering a special discount price of Bt2,200 per night for an overnight room, and Bt1,500 for daytime stays until 6pm. This promotional rate excludes breakfast and will run until the end of this month.

Supawan Tanomkieatipume, chairwoman for public relations at the Thai Hotels Association, who is also executive assistant manager of sales and marketing at the Twin Towers Hotel, said many hotel operators, especially near rally sites such as Pathumwan, had adjusted their business strategies by cutting costs as much as possible.

She said the Twin Towers Hotel, which is in Pathumwan, had gradually cut temporary staff, especially in the catering area. The hotel normally employs more than 20 temporary staff for each function event. However, the permanent staff of 400 has been maintained as per normal.

"We normally have occupancy rates of 70-80 per cent on average in the first quarter. However, it has plunged to between 40 and 60 per cent currently. We expect to lose between 10-20 per cent in sales opportunities per month if the Bangkok shutdown is prolonged.

"The hotel industry will enter the low season in the second quarter, so attractive promotions to lure Thai customers should be a necessity at this time of political difficulty. This is to compensate for a significant drop in foreign tourists," Supawan said.

Reducing losses

She said promotions to attract protesters should be another strategy for hotel operators at the demonstration locations to boost sales and reduce business losses during the shutdown period.

Despite the woes of some Bangkok hotels, however, the Kingdom's overall tourism industry has not suffered too badly since the shutdown started on Monday, the Tourism Authority of Thailand revealed. This is evidenced by a continuing flow of foreign arrivals, especially to major provinces.

In the first two weeks of January, foreign arrivals at Suvarnabhumi International Airport dropped by 2.58 per cent to 604,189 compared with the same period last year, but those at Don Meuang International Airport actually grew by 4.77 per cent to 71,907, thanks to low-cost carriers. In the period from January 1-12, foreign arrivals at Phuket International Airport also grew, by 12.06 per cent to 124,246 year on year.

However, there is no guarantee this trend will continue if the political conflict gets worse with the onset of violence between the anti- and pro-government sides.

Sugree Sithivanich, deputy governor for marketing communications at the Tourism Authority of Thailand, said travellers from Hong Kong were the most worrying group. About 40 per cent of tour packages for Chinese New Year from that city have reportedly been cancelled.

As for mainland Chinese, they have changed their trips to avoid protest-hit Bangkok, heading to Pattaya, Chiang Mai or Chiang Rai instead.

Hong Kong has also maintained its travel warning on Thailand at Level 4 (the second-highest), "reconsider your need to travel".

Interestingly, some Chinese have chosen to travel by car from southern locations such as Kunming and Chengdu to Chiang Mai, Chiang Rai or Phitsanulok.

The flow of Russian and European tourists is stable. Europeans have continued heading to beach resorts in the south on direct flights from their home nations and also via Bangkok. As for Russians, they are avoiding Bangkok and heading to Pattaya, Phuket or Krabi.


-- The Nation 2014-01-16

[millwall_fan]

So they have reduced their rates to 3,00 or 2,200 or 1,500 for a day room. That says a lot about the people attending the demonstrations - most of the ordinary Thai people they are so scared of, couldn't afford these rates or anything like them.

[Mosha]

The people I know who attend the protests can't afford those rates either.

[MrJohnson]

This just looks like a thinly veiled advertorial on behalf of the Thai Hotels Association. Mind you, I feel sorry for them and the staff who have lost their jobs.

[mca]

" sorry your room service was late sir some other guests have set up a barricade in the kitchen and are holding the sous chef hostage" :-)

[Ulysses G.]

"The people I know who attend the protests can't afford those rates either."

The poor dupes.

[englishoak]

Wow usually they put the prices up when low on guests and let the mugs take up the slack

[mijan24]

Once again who writes this dribble? please read and do your own simple maths.

Despite the woes of some Bangkok hotels, however, the Kingdom's overall tourism industry has not suffered too badly since the shutdown started on Monday, the Tourism Authority of Thailand revealed. This is evidenced by a continuing flow of foreign arrivals, especially to major provinces.

Incoming flights are reportedly arriving with only 50% occupancy so who is kidding who here TAT are not fooling anyone but themselves.

In the first two weeks of January, foreign arrivals at Suvarnabhumi International Airport dropped by 2.58 per cent to 604,189 compared with the same period last year, but those at Don Meuang International Airport actually grew by 4.77 per cent to 71,907, thanks to low-cost carriers. In the period from January 1-12, foreign arrivals at Phuket International Airport also grew, by 12.06 per cent to 124,246 year on year.

Suvarnabhumi down 2.58% in the 1st two weeks but hotels are discounting - Don Meuang grew by 4.77% I would hope so - this time last year the main incoming "passengers" was called CARGO.

However, there is no guarantee this trend will continue if the political conflict gets worse with the onset of violence between the anti- and pro-government sides.

What particular trend are we talking of here the decrease or the increase??

Sugree Sithivanich, deputy governor for marketing communications at the Tourism Authority of Thailand, said travellers from Hong Kong were the most worrying group. About 40 per cent of tour packages for Chinese New Year from that city have reportedly been cancelled.

Now we have a deputy governor (whose office obviously doesn't talk with other deputy governors offices from TAT saying arrivals from Hong Kong are down by about 40% )

TAT obviously need to create another deputy governor whose office would be made responsible for "proof reading and co-ordinating all statements before they are sent or leaked out. The "packages" mentioned must be visitors/tourists not "cargo" as earlier it was stated incoming numbers at the "Cargo Hub" Don M uang" had increased 4.77%???

Once again the saying "oxygen bandits" comes to mind .

[Prbkk]

These cheap rates are keeping people employed. The hotels are losing money but trying to minimise their losses, stay open and give people work. Don't underestimate the importance of providing income to those trying to support their families. The 'whistle blowers ' might have plenty set aside, many low paid hospitality workers do not.

[LuckyLew]

Too bad for the big hotel chains ...

They are the first to raise the rates when the going is good

Hope the have to drop the rates even further ..

I have no sympathy when organizations charge western rates but pay employees Thai wages

[anon8]

In the first two weeks of January, foreign arrivals at Suvarnabhumi International Airport dropped by 2.58 per cent to 604,189 compared with the same period last year

...

As for mainland Chinese, they have changed their trips to avoid protest-hit Bangkok, heading to Pattaya, Chiang Mai or Chiang Rai instead.

Hong Kong has also maintained its travel warning on Thailand at Level 4 (the second-highest), "reconsider your need to travel".

Interesting!

Drop of your 2.5% at Suwarnabhumi, compared to last year, huh?

But hotel bookings are down 40 - 60%?

Pattaya is next to dead, so please no stories that Chinese are now flying directly to Pattaya!

Where are those masses of tourists hiding?

[JoeThePoster]

She said promotions to attract protesters should be another strategy for hotel operators at the demonstration locations to boost sales and reduce business losses during the shutdown period.

Breakfast in bed, workout at the gym followed by whistle-blowing aerobics on the street, buffet lunch, siesta, more whistle-blowing, spa massage, 5 course dinner followed by some karaoke. Baht 2000++ Sounds like a good promotion.

[Spalpeen]

The problem with letting anti democracy protesters into your hotel is that before you know it they'll be barricading the corridors and trying to shut down the hotel. Next they'll hijack the karaoke stage and start making six hour speeches at ear splitting volume. Finally, they will demand....yes demand!.....that the hotel management resign and hand over the running of the hotel to them. They'll even promise to stamp out corruption among the kitchen and cleaning staff.

..Probably better to stick with the regular customers.

[spare5]

Hiso protesters stay in 5 starts Hotels.

Rice farming red shirts sleep on the street.

[mca]

deleted after trying to edit and messing it up

Edited January 16, 2014 by mca

[Jeremy50]

So they have reduced their rates to 3,00 or 2,200 or 1,500 for a day room. That says a lot about the people attending the demonstrations - most of the ordinary Thai people they are so scared of, couldn't afford these rates or anything like them.

I have never paid more than 700 Baht for a hotel room in Thailand in 15 years. In most parts of the country 500 Baht gets a very nice room.

[tomyummer]

So basically these hotels are reducing their over priced rates to their deserved market pricing now.

And so a discount of 1,500 to 2,000 baht is worth staying at a hotel at the front lines where violence could erupt at any time? How well would someone sleep?! How 'Thai' to offer such a discount trying to lure traveller's into the danger zones. Unless the rates include emergency evac and complimentary bullet proof vests? Yeah right. The Thai employees would abandon its guests at any moment of violence.

[Spalpeen]

Hiso protesters stay in 5 starts Hotels.

Rice farming red shirts sleep on the street.

.

Revolution with room service.

[belg]

welcome to the bangkok safari

[Mampara]

This just looks like a thinly veiled advertorial on behalf of the Thai Hotels Association. Mind you, I feel sorry for them and the staff who have lost their jobs.

If the hotel staff loose their jobs or they get suspended because of this, then there should be a walkout of all the staff members, and they should report this to the Ministry of Labor, furthermore they should sue the hotel for unfair dismissal,

[geriatrickid]

Interesting!

Drop of your 2.5% at Suwarnabhumi, compared to last year, huh?

But hotel bookings are down 40 - 60%?

Pattaya is next to dead, so please no stories that Chinese are now flying directly to Pattaya!

Where are those masses of tourists hiding?

Phuket, Krabi & Koh Samui, which incidentally are Suthep strongholds.

However, let's be realistic. Every year there is a dip right after the Christmas rush. In Hua Hin this year at Christmas it was packed. It took me an 1 1/2 hours to go from Cha Am to the Army rehab center. My friend did it in less than 40 minutes the other day. Hua Hin has drawn alot of the tourist trade from Bangkok as people have made alternative plans. Hua Hin would be a lot quieter at this time of year otherwise.

[54321]

thinly?

This just looks like a thinly veiled advertorial on behalf of the Thai Hotels Association. Mind you, I feel sorry for them and the staff who have lost their jobs.

[kerrysum]

Too bad for the big hotel chains ...

They are the first to raise the rates when the going is good

Hope the have to drop the rates even further ..

I have no sympathy when organizations charge western rates but pay employees Thai wages

It happens the world round..... Profit, profit, profit....... But the workers always pay the price....

kilosierra

[noitom]

She said promotions to attract protesters should be another strategy for hotel operators at the demonstration locations to boost sales and reduce business losses during the shutdown period.

Breakfast in bed, workout at the gym followed by whistle-blowing aerobics on the street, buffet lunch, siesta, more whistle-blowing, spa massage, 5 course dinner followed by some karaoke. Baht 2000++ Sounds like a good promotion.

It is sad to say that it is a laughable strategy.

[MMarlow]

Once again who writes this dribble? please read and do your own simple maths.

Despite the woes of some Bangkok hotels, however, the Kingdom's overall tourism industry has not suffered too badly since the shutdown started on Monday, the Tourism Authority of Thailand revealed. This is evidenced by a continuing flow of foreign arrivals, especially to major provinces.

Incoming flights are reportedly arriving with only 50% occupancy so who is kidding who here TAT are not fooling anyone but themselves.

In the first two weeks of January, foreign arrivals at Suvarnabhumi International Airport dropped by 2.58 per cent to 604,189 compared with the same period last year, but those at Don Meuang International Airport actually grew by 4.77 per cent to 71,907, thanks to low-cost carriers. In the period from January 1-12, foreign arrivals at Phuket International Airport also grew, by 12.06 per cent to 124,246 year on year.

Suvarnabhumi down 2.58% in the 1st two weeks but hotels are discounting - Don Meuang grew by 4.77% I would hope so - this time last year the main incoming "passengers" was called CARGO.

However, there is no guarantee this trend will continue if the political conflict gets worse with the onset of violence between the anti- and pro-government sides.

What particular trend are we talking of here the decrease or the increase??

Sugree Sithivanich, deputy governor for marketing communications at the Tourism Authority of Thailand, said travellers from Hong Kong were the most worrying group. About 40 per cent of tour packages for Chinese New Year from that city have reportedly been cancelled.

Now we have a deputy governor (whose office obviously doesn't talk with other deputy governors offices from TAT saying arrivals from Hong Kong are down by about 40% )

TAT obviously need to create another deputy governor whose office would be made responsible for "proof reading and co-ordinating all statements before they are sent or leaked out. The "packages" mentioned must be visitors/tourists not "cargo" as earlier it was stated incoming numbers at the "Cargo Hub" Don M uang" had increased 4.77%???

Once again the saying "oxygen bandits" comes to mind .

What a load of drivel, or should I say dribble?

[MMarlow]

She said promotions to attract protesters should be another strategy for hotel operators at the demonstration locations to boost sales and reduce business losses during the shutdown period.

Breakfast in bed, workout at the gym followed by whistle-blowing aerobics on the street, buffet lunch, siesta, more whistle-blowing, spa massage, 5 course dinner followed by some karaoke. Baht 2000++ Sounds like a good promotion.

Minus the breakfast, buffet lunch spa massage, dinner and karaoke, of course which aren't included.

[ginjag]

So they have reduced their rates to 3,00 or 2,200 or 1,500 for a day room. That says a lot about the people attending the demonstrations - most of the ordinary Thai people they are so scared of, couldn't afford these rates or anything like them.

Your right how many farrang here on decent incomes could afford 1,500 baht a day? let alone protesters or even Thai workers with big incomes.

Good try hotels--out of touch.

[tingtongteesood]

So they have reduced their rates to 3,00 or 2,200 or 1,500 for a day room. That says a lot about the people attending the demonstrations - most of the ordinary Thai people they are so scared of, couldn't afford these rates or anything like them.

So they offered a discount, was there anything in the article that said protestors are flocking to take them up on it ? NO ! Did they say business has improved at all ? NO !

As usual red addled brains trying to twist things to fit their argument. Stick to facts please....

[tingtongteesood]

The problem with letting anti democracy protesters into your hotel is that before you know it they'll be barricading the corridors and trying to shut down the hotel. Next they'll hijack the karaoke stage and start making six hour speeches at ear splitting volume. Finally, they will demand....yes demand!.....that the hotel management resign and hand over the running of the hotel to them. They'll even promise to stamp out corruption among the kitchen and cleaning staff.

..Probably better to stick with the regular customers.

As opposed to the red shirts who will rampage, destroy the place, shoot guns randomly hitting innocent bystanders in the process then burn it down.

Yes we can all play this game but what's the point ?

You flame, I flame, everybody flames. You find it entertaining or something ?

[Prbkk]

So they have reduced their rates to 3,00 or 2,200 or 1,500 for a day room. That says a lot about the people attending the demonstrations - most of the ordinary Thai people they are so scared of, couldn't afford these rates or anything like them.

So they offered a discount, was there anything in the article that said protestors are flocking to take them up on it ? NO ! Did they say business has improved at all ? NO !

As usual red addled brains trying to twist things to fit their argument. Stick to facts please....

In fact there are many reports that locals are taking advantage of these offers. Some hotels are @ 50% usual rate for room and for dining.