In a joint statement issued to members, hotel operators and tourists, the associations said recent tensions in the Middle East have prompted several airlines from the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and other international routes to temporarily suspend or adjust flight schedules.
As a result, some tourists have been unable to travel to Thailand and Phuket as planned, while others currently staying on the island are unable to return home according to their original itineraries.
The associations described the situation as a force majeure event beyond the control of both tourists and tourism operators.
To help mitigate the impact, maintain traveller confidence and uphold Thailand’s reputation as a leading global destination, the associations urged tourism businesses in Phuket to adopt supportive measures for affected guests.
They recommended that hotels consider waiving fees for date changes and cancellations directly related to the flight disruptions. Operators were also encouraged to offer special or reasonable rates for guests who need to extend their stays due to travel delays.
In addition, the associations asked hotels and tourism businesses to provide timely travel information and necessary assistance to affected visitors.
“The cooperation of all stakeholders at this time will reflect Thailand’s strong spirit of hospitality and help preserve the positive image of Phuket as a high-quality destination for international travellers,” the statement said.
The associations expressed appreciation for the understanding and continued support of tourism operators during what they described as a challenging period for international travel.
Monchai Tanode, General Manager of Phuket International Airport, confirmed that there are currently no stranded passengers at the airport, as most tourists were aware of the situation and postponed their trips from last weekend.
However, from Saturday (Feb 28) until now, a total of 25 flights have been cancelled – 13 inbound and 12 outbound – affecting more than 6,000 passengers.
The affected airlines include Qatar Airways, Air Arabia, Emirates, Etihad Airways and Unicair, as well as Israeli airlines operating connecting routes.