Turbulence Causes Slower Bookings and Surge in Cancellation Queries

oleh admin | Apr 1, 2025 | business, disasters, news, tourists, Travel

The earthquake that hit Thailand on Friday has dealt a blow to the country’s tourism sector, resulting in sluggish reservations for the forthcoming Songkran festival. Meanwhile, airlines have begun processing requests for reimbursements and annulments.

Yesterday, Tourism and Sports Minister Sorawong Thienthong met with the tourism industry to discuss how the recent earthquake has affected tourist activities. Meanwhile, the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) intends to release a roster of approved accommodations that have passed stringent safety checks for international visitors.

Chaiyapatranun Thienprasit, who leads the Thai Hotels Association (THA), stated that the majority of Bangkok’s hotels are secure and have undergone inspections by engineers.

The Provincial Administration Department has requested hotel operators to assess the structural integrity and adherence to safety norms in their establishments as mandated by hotel regulations, and subsequently submit a report to the department. This directive stems from the fact that hotels are classified as public structures and serve numerous residents and visitors alike.

If damage occurred at a hotel, the operator needed to inform the department’s registrar within 15 days following the event.

He expressed his worry regarding the security of travelers who have reserved unauthorized lodging, should unforeseen incidents happen down the line.

These unauthorized accommodations may fail to register visitors’ information, and the buildings could be non-compliant with safety regulations because of unpermitted alterations, as he pointed out.

Furthermore, images of the State Audit Office building collapsing have circulated extensively through social media platforms and international news channels, affecting perceptions regarding the safety of tourists in Thailand.

Mr. Thienprasit stated that the government ought to promptly look into the incident’s origins and inform the public since the majority of structures in Bangkok haven’t suffered significant damage.

It should also improve the real-time disaster alert system with a hub platform which provides vital information.

Paisarn Sukjarean, who leads the THA’s upper northern division, stated that despite Chiang Mai being close to the quake’s center in Myanmar, local hotels haven’t experienced significant harm. This includes about 15 skyscrapers with over ten floors each in the province.

Mr. Paisarn mentioned that currently, there are about three structures in Chiang Mai that remain inaccessible, including one school and two residential buildings.

The Chiang Mai Municipality has promptly addressed building inspections within the city limits, particularly focusing on the main tourist hub where significant structures are located.

Even though the effects may not be visible until the end of the week regarding the Songkran festivities, hotels have experienced lower reservation numbers than anticipated since the weekend.

Siripakorn Cheawsamoot, TAT deputy governor for Europe, Africa, the Middle East, and the Americas, stated that the organization will assist hotel operators in collaborating with the Tourism Ministry to promote a list of accommodations deemed safe after undergoing evaluations.

Mr. Siripakorn mentioned that the tourism minister is contemplating allocating additional funds specifically aimed at supporting property checks.

Nuntaporn Komonsittivate, who leads the commercial division at Thai Lion Air, stated that the airline continues to operate all flights routinely. However, she admitted that declaring a state of emergency in Bangkok has noticeably affected the travel enthusiasm of incoming visitors.

Mrs Nuntaporn emphasized that it is essential for the government to guarantee safe travel in Thailand, offering official reports from accredited specialists to rebuild trust in anticipation of the Songkran festival.

Several international travelers asked about the airline’s rules regarding canceled flights and reimbursement procedures.

In the meantime, SET-listed Asset World Corp declared a 50% reduction in room rates at all of its nine Bangkok hotels until April 6 for individuals affected by the earthquake.

Provided by Syndigate Media Inc. (
Syndigate.info
).