Hat Yai Tourism Recovery In 3 Months

[george]

Hat Yai tourism recovery in 3 months

SONGKHLA: -- Tourism recovery in Thailand's southern district of Hat Yai, hit by a series of explosions last Saturday, will take at least two to three months, a tourism industry leader said Saturday.

Hat Yai- Songkhla Hotel Association president Somchart Pimtanapoonpol said the tourism climate in Hat Yai this weekend is very quiet after fatal bombings exactly a week ago today, not to mention Thailand's coup d'etat earlier this week.

Now Malaysian tourists have opted not to travel to Hat Yai, fearing for their safety, he said. In addition, more than 80 per cent of the city's lifeblood tourist bookings for the annual Chinese vegetarian and Muslim festivals have been cancelled.

Organised jointly by several Songkhla government agencies and private organisations from October 21-30, Mr. Somchart said, the festivals are highlights of the tourism year--and the main income producer in this holiday centre.

Last weekend's bomb blasts killed four persons, including a Canadian schoolteacher, and wounded some 70 others.

--TNA 2006-09-23