Islamic State terrorist warning fails to impact Phuket occupancy

[webfact]

Islamic State terrorist warning fails to impact Phuket occupancy
Phuket Gazette


Thai Hotel Association Southern Chapter Director Kritsada Tansakul worries that the IS warning might cause tourists to postpone trips to Phuket. Photo: Gazette file

PHUKET: -- The recently leaked memo warning of Islamic State terrorists being dispatched to Phuket has not affected hotel occupancy numbers, explained the director of the Thai Hotel Association Southern Chapter.

“We surveyed occupancy levels at our hotels and saw no impacts that could be attributed to the warning about ten IS members arriving in Thailand,” said Director Kritsada Tansakul. “Overall occupancy has stayed at 75 per cent, with 35 per cent coming from western arrivals and the rest mostly coming from major Asian markets, such as China, Korea and India”

Though hotel-booking cancellation numbers remain unaltered, Mr Kritsada voiced his concern about new tourists postponing their trips to Phuket.

Full story: http://www.phuketgazette.net/phuket-news/Islamic-State-terrorist-warning-fails-impact-Phuket/62579?desktopversion


-- Phuket Gazette 2015-12-10

[swissie]

Any full time Farang residents of Phuket care to comment? Statement correct or not so correct?

Still 35 % of "westerners"? Hard to believe, unless Russians are counted as "westerners".

Cheers.

[Reigntax]

Thats because Isis are amateurs compared to the jet ski, tuk tuk and taxi mafias that everyone has to deal with

There will be no ISIS on Phuket until authorities work out how to obtain commissions from their activities.

Edited December 10, 2015 by Reigntax

[madmitch]

Of course occupancy rates haven't altered yet: people aren't just going to pack their bags and go home!

The next few weeks will be more indicative, though the overall occupancy levels will only change significantly if the Chinese market suddenly pulls the plug.

I have had a number of cancellations in recent days. Coincidence or not? Well, one of them mailed me and gave the exact reason for cancelling as the ISIS threat. Bookings have also slowed down. I only have a guesthouse. It would be interesting to hear from any larger hotel/resort owners/managers that post on here.

[Shot]

^^What madmitch said.

And, I would like to add that Mr. Tansakul is an idiot.

Edited December 10, 2015 by Shot

[shirtless]

There will be a big surge in adventure tourism, the figures are up and going up according to TAT

[LivinginKata]

I really doubt that any worries about ISIS in Phuket is effecting occupation stats.

I see the global economic situation being a big factor for reduction in Western visitors and I include Russians in that group.

Many of our regular guests from Russia have failed to turn up this year.

Our usual Scandanavians have disppeared completely.

[snoop1130]

IS terrorist warning fails to impact Phuket occupancy
The Nation

PHUKET -- The recently leaked memo warning of Islamic State terrorists being dispatched to Phuket has not affected hotel occupancy numbers, according to Phuket Gazette, citing the director of the Thai Hotel Association's southern chapter.

"We surveyed occupancy levels at our hotels and saw no impacts that could be attributed to the warning about 10 IS members arriving in Thailand," Kritsada Tansakul said Thursday.

"Overall occupancy has stayed at 75 per cent, with 35 per cent coming from Western arrivals and the rest mostly coming from major Asian markets, such as China, Korea and India."

Though hotel cancellations remain unaltered, Kritsada voiced his concern about new tourists postponing their trips to Phuket.

"Following the Bangkok bombing and the terrorist attack in Paris, we asked all member hotels and resorts to fully cooperate with local security efforts and have guards report any suspicious activity to police immediately," he said.

Monrudee Gettuphan, director of Phuket International Airport, said airport security remained a top priority, with increased measures having military personnel and other security specialists at hand.

Last week, Phuket Provincial Police commander Teeraphol Thipjaroen confirmed that all police forces on Phuket were on full alert and taking all necessary steps to prevent any attacks.

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/breakingnews/IS-terrorist-warning-fails-to-impact-Phuket-occupa-30274663.html

-- The Nation 2015-12-10

[clockman]

They only worship, the allmighty Baht!

[Felt 35]

Any full time Farang residents of Phuket care to comment? Statement correct or not so correct?

Still 35 % of "westerners"? Hard to believe, unless Russians are counted as "westerners".

Cheers.

Attempt to "talk it up"

19 year and counting here and I have never seen it so empty at our Thai Chinese friends etablissements which include two big beach hotels and three hotels in town. Not even the financial crisis late 90s or after the Tsunami it was like this.

[konying]

Of course occupancy rates haven't altered yet: people aren't just going to pack their bags and go home!

The next few weeks will be more indicative, though the overall occupancy levels will only change significantly if the Chinese market suddenly pulls the plug.

I have had a number of cancellations in recent days. Coincidence or not? Well, one of them mailed me and gave the exact reason for cancelling as the ISIS threat. Bookings have also slowed down. I only have a guesthouse. It would be interesting to hear from any larger hotel/resort owners/managers that post on here.

I am in Pattaya and while i have not had many cancellations, in the past week or so i had at least 10 fully paid bookings as a no show.

Also new bookings are not really coming.

Usually by now, i am already 90% full for Xmas and New years onward to half way through to January, this time, i can say i am empty, just a few rooms booked.

Next to me a larger hotel, with 100 rooms, same scenario, also a cheap 500 baht guesthouse(around the corner) has only 1 room occupied.

Do not know if its ISIS threat or something else.

[konying]

I really doubt that any worries about ISIS in Phuket is effecting occupation stats.

I see the global economic situation being a big factor for reduction in Western visitors and I include Russians in that group.

Many of our regular guests from Russia have failed to turn up this year.

Our usual Scandanavians have disppeared completely.

Little off topic, but it will put a smile on your face.

Russians are coming back and more than before.

Since Turkeys fiasco, Thailand has become the main new place for them.

Just now, agency's in Russia offer Thailand trips from as little as $300 including airfares.

Got this info from a Russian friend, who is a developer and real estate agent.

He says, we will see the influx by the end of the month.

[gandalf12]

When is the Tooth Fairy due to visit?

[LeungKen]

Off topic posts removed.

[Ulic]

2-3 months lag time on threats and tourist reaction to threats.

[MILT]

Thats because Isis are amateurs compared to the jet ski, tuk tuk and taxi mafias that everyone has to deal with

There will be no ISIS on Phuket until authorities work out how to obtain commissions from their activities.

Too Funny.....

[Stargeezr]

ISIL or Daes, are only here today in this present time to bother us all. In a few years from now they

will all be hiding or all gone, and will be like the Dodo bird, just something that existed for a short time

then gone for good. And I say, good riddance to groups like them or the Taliban or other terrorists

that are like a toothache. you only notice it until you remove the tooth.

Edited December 12, 2015 by metisdead
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