Thai tourism during the coming Songkran holiday will be bustling in Phuket due to a positive environment and political stability, say two industry groups.
The Thai Hotels Association (THA) reports that advance hotel bookings in Phuket are almost full, with Pattaya at 70 per cent and Chiang Mai at 80-90 per cent.
Suchart Hirankanokkul, president of the THA’s southern chapter, said tourism in Phuket will be active for the whole of April. Average occupancy during the month is expected at 70 per cent or more.
Key markets for the resort island include European, Chinese, Malaysian, Singaporean and Thai tourists.
The Association of Thai Travel Agents (ATTA) president Sisdivachr Cheewarattanaporn said the island's renown has caused congestion at Phuket airport.
His group has assigned members to talk with airport officials about incentives to attract more charter flights.
The ATTA expects 100 charter flights to Thailand during the long holiday period.
The Tourism Authority of Thailand said Songkran will generate tourism revenue of at least B59.2 billion, with domestic tourists totalling 5.72 million and international tourist arrivals numbering 700,000.
Sarawut Saetiao, president of the Chiang Mai Tourism Business Association, expects local tourism revenue to increase by 10 per cent to 700-800 million baht during the holiday. The number of Chinese tourists in Chiang Mai is set to rise thanks to the hit movie Lost in Thailand.
THA president Surapong Techaruvichit said hoteliers have bright prospects for the full year.
During the first two months of 2013, international tourist arrivals to Thailand rose by 18.8 per cent to 4.56 million.
The jump in international arrivals has exacerbated a labour shortage at many hotels and congestion at some airports.
“We’re in talks with our members to help solve these problems, especially insufficient hotel staff at the front desk, housekeepers, waiters and waitresses,” said Mr Surapong.
“We may have to offer them more than B10,000 a month to work at four- and five-star hotels.”
Housekeepers and waitstaff normally make about B9,000 a month.
The industry’s average occupancy this year is forecast at 70 per cent, up from 67-68 per cent last year.
Last month, the THA reported average occupancy was up in Bangkok and all the regions.
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