Thai hotels see year end ray of hope
Bangkok Post: 12 Aug 2009
www.BangkokPost.com
HOTELS
Industry sees ray of hope at year endThe last quarter of this year will indicate whether Thai hotels will survive and whether some may have to exit the market, say industry executives.
However, the Thai Hotels Association (THA) has noticed a ray of hope as foreign travel agents have begun making inquiries about accommodations. It is expected that foreign tourist arrivals will improve in the upcoming high season.
THA president Prakit Chinamourphong said the improving economy and more political stability were a help.
While government loans to help small hoteliers have been delayed, they should be able to remain in business until next year if they can generate income from October to March.
"Travel agents have made some inquiries about advance booking for hotel rooms and package tours. This shows that tourists are still interested in travelling to Thailand. If they really come back, we will survive," he said.
Previously, many tourism operators expected Thai tourism would struggle in the coming high season and not pick up until the second half of 2010. Today, these operators see some hope as the global economy and local political conditions are improving.
Mr Prakit said THA expected average hotel occupancy rates in Thailand should run around 70-75% in the last quarter, compared with 90-95% in normal times.
"We will be happy if we can achieve the occupancy target of 70-75% in the high season. However, local politics will be a key factor for the tourism recovery. If there are any problems, the industry will face hard times again," he added.
To prepare for the recovery, the THA will hold talks with Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva tomorrow at a seminar titled Pra-Ti-Harn Tong-Teaw-Thai (Miracle in Thai Tourism) about the national agenda on tourism, and the solution to illegal taxi gangs at Suvarnabhumi Airport.
Yesterday, the THA, in collaboration with the Thai Restaurants Association and the Thai Chefs Association, announced its support for Food & Hotel Thailand 2009 (FHT 2009), aiming to upgrade Thai hospitality and competitiveness.
The FHT 2009 will be held from Sept 2-5 at Royal Paragon Hall, Siam Paragon. Around 750 local and global brands will join the events and the associations expect more than 25,000 visitors from 50 countries, up from 22,600 in 2008.
David Aitken, managing director of Bangkok Exhibition Services, the event organiser, said the fair would help improve the industry's standard to support the Kitchen of the World programme.
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