Positive sentiment predicted for Songkran
TOURISM OPERATORS expect improving domestic sentiment for the upcoming Songkran holiday despite a sagging economy and virus outbreak that continue to derail growth in the sector.
The festival and school holiday is a peak period for domestic tourism as families plan summer trips to beaches or nearby destinations, while millennials look to take part in the new trend of camping vacations, said Krit Patarapal, managing director of PK Exhibition, the organiser of the Thai Teaw Thai tourism fair.
He said tourism sentiment for Songkran remains positive as long as there is not another lockdown.
The Thai Teaw Thai fair features 650 tourism operators and expects to generate B100 million in transactions from March 3-6, reported the Bangkok Post.
Mr Krit said spending might fall as operators offer cheaper prices or bundle packages with the government’s stimulus measures.
Nuntaporn Komonsittivate, head of commercial operations at Thai Lion Air, said the Level 4 COVID-19 alert and high daily caseloads might impact travel sentiment, but rising new bookings show people are not panicking and have confidence in airlines’ preventive measures as well as their own self-protection.
The airline’s frequency during the first two months this year averaged 400 flights per week, with an average load factor of 80%.
Advance bookings for March already reached 40%, she said.
Ms Nuntaporn said March would be a buffer month to contain the virus before Songkran, when people will likely flock to hometowns even if water splashing is prohibited.
She said the government should not impose another lockdown, but if such a measure is necessary, the state should listen to the private sector before deciding on a course of action.
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Local tourists, which contribute around 60-70% of revenue at Phuket-based tour operator Love Andaman, have shifted to last-minute deals to grab the cheapest prices.
Thais monitor possible government restrictions before making any Songkran decisions, said founder and chief executive Torphong Wongsathienchai.
Weaker purchasing power, higher operating costs and an intense price war have dampened domestic tourism, while demand is limited when compared with the available supply, he said.
Those with high spending power have shifted to overseas travel after more countries lifted travel restrictions.
Mr Torphong said his customers average 400-500 per day during weekends, or half the average pre-pandemic daily rate.
Popular routes include the Similan and Surin islands, Koh Phi Phi, Koh Khai and Maya Bay, as the bay opened for tourists on Jan 1 after being closed for 3½ years.
The Russia-Ukraine conflict has directly affected tourism, with the cancellation of two familiarisation trips from Russia, Ukraine and Kazakhstan planned for this month, he said.