Hatyai thankful for influx of tourists
HATYAI, a city located near the Thai-malaysian border, is now lively and crowded with tourists, especially from Malaysia.
The city has become the travel destination of choice for many Malaysians, especially during school and public holidays.
Following the re-opening of the Thailand-malaysia border on April 1, the influx of tourists has increased and the city of Hatyai is now coming back to life after a two-year break due to the pandemic.
The Khlong Hae Floating Market, a popular destination, is once again crowded with tourists, while hotels in Hatyai and its surrounding areas are fully booked.
The president of the Hatyai Songkhla Hotels Association, Sitthipong Sitthiprapha, said that the influx of Malaysian tourists, especially during the school holidays, was very encouraging.
During the recent school holidays in Malaysia, more than 20,000 Malaysian tourists entered Thailand via the three entrances into Songkhla, namely Sadao, Bukit Kayu Hitam and Ban Prakop.
“The increase in tourist arrivals will stimulate post-lockdown economic recovery,” Sitthipong said.
Meanwhile, Malaysian Association of Hotels (MAH) vice president Datuk Khoo Boo Lim said Malaysians, especially those living in states bordering Thailand, have always liked to vacation in Hatyai during the school holidays.
“A short and cheap trip, delicious food and cheap accommodation are among the (reasons) that draw Malaysians to Hatyai,” he said.
In the first eight months of this year, Thailand recorded more than 4.6 million international tourist arrivals with Malaysians making up the bulk of the number with 647,648 people.
Thailand expects Malaysian tourists to reach one million by the end of this year. – Bernama