Thailand tourism: Big losses expected

BANGKOK—Thailand could lose up to 200,000 foreign visitors and $293 million in tourism revenue this year, the head of its tourism authority said on Monday in the aftermath of a series of deadly blasts in tourist towns last week.

The wave of attacks in places, including the seaside town of Hua Hin and the island of Phuket, is the biggest challenge to an industry that has weathered more than a decade of instability and bounced back from violence over recent years.

Yuthasak Supasorn, governor of the state Tourism Authority of Thailand, said the attacks could result in long-term losses in terms of tourist revenue and arrivals, mainly from other Asian countries.

“By the year end, there could be about 100,000 to 200,000 travel cancellations,” he said in a statement. “That would cost about $146 million to $293 million.”

Tourism, which accounts for 10 percent of Thai gross domestic product, is one of the few bright spots in an economy that has struggled under the stewardship of a military government that seized power in a bloodless coup two years ago.

The Southeast Asian nation had been expecting a record of 32 million visitors in 2016, with projected revenue of $70 billion.

Narongchai Wongthanavimok, chief financial officer of Thai Airways, Thailand’s national carrier, said on Friday the bombings would hurt business and consumer confidence.