Despite massive flooding the past week, it appears Thailand’s tourism industry has so far been spared, according to a variety of reports.
A Bloomberg report late last week had Phuket, Krabi, Pattaya and Koh Samui escaping the storms that swamped the central and northern provinces, including the ancient city of Ayutthaya. Reports as late as today have Bangkok and other tourism-heavy areas escaping any serious damage with hotels continuing to accept guests and reservations.
“Most of the areas affected are not tourism areas, so while it’s affecting our farmers and many of our industrial estates, the effect on tourism is minimal,” said William Heinecke, chief executive officer of Minor International said in a Bloomberg interview on Thursday. “I’m pretty confident they are going to protect the city at all costs. This is still the center of the tourism industry.”
Hotel occupancy rates in Bangkok and Phuket are “at a normal rate of 60% to 70%,” Thai Hotels Association President Prakit Chinamornpong said Thursday. Those rates may fall if monsoon rains don’t end soon.
“If Bangkok is flooded or the flooding drags on until next month, which will be the start of peak season for tourism, that will have a great impact,” Prakit said.