BANGKOK, 30 September 2011 – The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) has indicated that up to half of overseas tour companies have cancelled their reservations in Thailand after learning of the flood situation.
TAT Executive Director for the Northern Region Sethapon Chindanon reported that the current flooding disaster had caused about 50 percent of tour operators in other countries to call off their trips to Thailand. The massive cancellation has troubled a large number of Thai entrepreneurs, especially those offering whitewater rafting packages in Phitsanulok, Nan, Uthai Thani and Tak provinces.
If floods persist in major tourism spots until the high travel season begins in November, the Thai tourism sector as a whole could be heavily impacted. Mr Sethapon, therefore, encouraged all sides to promote traveling to secondary destinations instead.
In addition, the Executive Director recommended both public and private sectors to customize their tourism strategies specifically for each season and also prepare backup plans in case of unexpected situations.
