Thailand tourism situation

[Big Boy]

Not that I've noticed, but I have seen a lot of buses around in the last week i.e. the type that ferry foreign tourists between holiday hotels - a sight I haven't seen for a couple of years.

[buksida]

Depends where you go, I think the uber-touristy places such as Phuket and Samui are slowly getting busier, but elsewhere is a dead duck.

[PeteC]

Seat shortage stymies tourism recovery

https://www.bangkokpost.com/business/23 ... m-recovery

The shortage of airline seats remains a major obstacle for the recovery of Thai tourism as most European flag carriers haven't resumed flights and frequencies to the pre-Covid level.

Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) governor Yuthasak Supasorn said the agency met the Civil Aviation Authority of Thailand last week and was informed that Thailand might secure just 30.9% international seat capacity of the pre-pandemic level in the upcoming high season.

At present, international airlines, mostly from major long-haul destinations, have not resumed flights as usual, leaving a limited choice for travellers who want convenient direct flights.

The TAT has prepared a marketing plan to support airlines to bring passengers to Thailand, particularly from Russia and other countries in Europe, but it depends on the additional budget it requested.

British Airways' 2022 winter schedule was announced without the London-Bangkok route and the airline said it would not resume a direct service for this route until 2023.

Prior to the pandemic, the airline served a daily flight from London to Bangkok. It currently operates only London-Singapore in Southeast Asia, with a daily flight, a decrease from twice daily before Covid struck.

In 2019, Thailand had a seat capacity of 56.2 million, before plunging to 14.8 million in 2020 and 4.9 million in 2021.

Tassapon Bijleveld, executive chairman of Thai AirAsia and acting chief executive of Thai AirAsia X, said most airlines are facing extremely high operational costs and insufficient manpower and aircraft.

"The aviation business cannot pick up overnight, particularly for those who slashed their workforce during Covid-19," said Mr Tassapon.

He said Thai AirAsia maintained all staff in the past two years to avoid such circumstances during the recovery period as commercial pilots have to extend their licences every six months by training with flight simulators.

However, airlines that have already downsized have to deal with higher wages as they must compete for trained staff, therefore, they have to plan flights more carefully by selecting routes with the most potential amid surging costs to avoid losses, he said.

He said after parking aircraft for over two years, all engines need major maintenance work before taking to the skies, resulting in long queues and full bookings at every maintenance, repair and overhaul facility.

Mr Tassapon said the TAT's initiative to help airlines increase seat capacity is a good strategy to boost the tourism industry.

In the past, governments from many countries adopted similar mechanisms, such as providing incentives for airlines that can carry international passengers at certain levels.

"Providing incentives for airlines could be an effective way to help increase flight capacity to Thailand," he said.

[Dannie Boy]

BA who stopped flying to Thailand 2 years ago have announced that they have delayed returning to the route unto 2023 but they don’t say exactly when - they had originally intended to return in October this year!!
https://www.businesstraveller.com/busin ... into-2023/

[handdrummer]

"The TAT has prepared a marketing plan to support airlines to bring passengers to Thailand, particularly from Russia and other countries in Europe, but it depends on the additional budget it requested."

How are they going to get out of Russia with the war going on?

[Big Boy]

How are they going to get out of Russia with the war going on?

I think you'll find Russians are returning to Russia from Thailand on holiday, so the reverse must be possible.

[pharvey]

BA who stopped flying to Thailand 2 years ago have announced that they have delayed returning to the route unto 2023 but they don’t say exactly when - they had originally intended to return in October this year!!

Flying out of/into UK airports is an absolute nightmare as it stands anyway - must be putting a fair few off....

[HuaHin61]

obviously there is an intention seen to kill all tourist movements everywhere?
mass walkout on Wednesday 27 July 2022 at FRA + MUC
Lufthansa has already axed 678 flights at Frankfurt (FRA) and 345 flights at Munich (MUC), affecting 92,000 passengers, and 42,000 fliers at both airports respectfully.
https://thepointsguy.co.uk/news/lufthan ... rt-munich/
https://www.iamexpat.de/expat-info/germ ... -july-2022

[buksida]

Hefty airfares hinder industry recovery
Surging airfares have become one of the most pressing issues in terms of tourism recovery as only a handful of tourists can afford the hefty price of tours.

"Tour companies are promoting Scandinavian packages starting from 150,000 baht or around 170,000 baht per person on average, double the rate in 2019. Only 3% of outbound travellers are able to afford such pricey outbound trips," said Mr Charoen Wangananonth, president of the Thai Travel Agents Association (TTAA).

He said the more expensive tour packages are due to higher operational costs, mainly attributed to the higher prices of air tickets from higher fuel costs which historically peaked over the past few months.

The impact was more critical for long-haul flights, particularly from the US and Europe as those routes face higher fuel surcharges and they still face a manpower shortage.

The airfares for some popular destinations also doubled from pre-pandemic levels.

https://www.bangkokpost.com/business/23 ... y-recovery

[Meerkat]

Good news:

https://www.bangkokpost.com/business/23 ... -to-phuket

The Russians are coming (back).

[Big Boy]

This is probably the most sensible attempt to attract tourists that I've seen, and includes a 300฿/day food voucher.


Cheapest Hotel Room Rate at B1/Night to Attract Tourists


https://tna.mcot.net/english-news-989869

[Ratsima]

2022-08-03_10.22.32.jpg

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This was Cha Am beach in front of the Raya Resort last Wednesday (3 August 2022). No beach chairs, no umbrellas, no cars, no people.

It picked up a bit Friday afternoon, but nothing like one would expect.

The condo where I have a unit had only two rooms occupied all week; mine and one other.

[huahin4ever]

I thought every Wednesday is cleaning day on the Cha Am beach so no chairs?

YNWA

[Ratsima]

I thought every Wednesday is cleaning day on the Cha Am beach so no chairs?

That’s true and why I mentioned the day. Most Wednesdays are umbrella and beach chair free. There are exceptions for Wednesdays that are also holidays.

Even on Wednesdays there are usually people, vehicles and vendors on the beach. But not last Wednesday.

[StevePIraq]

Having just been to Bangkok for four nights including a weekend I would say BKK is busy but not with foreigners. I stayed in the Arnoma Grand which in the past was always full, the only foreigners were myself and 4 Singaporeans. No beers in the bar, the hostess said the boss will not buy stock as there are no customers, and this is a 4 star hotel.

Elsewhere there were foreigner's but who knows if tourists or living there.