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Thai protests hit regional but not longhaul markets
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Sirima Eamtako, Bangkok (2010-03-15)
BOOKINGS from longhaul markets remained intact while regional markets slowed as the Thai travel trade braced for a fall-out from the weekend’s protest rallies.
Go Vacation Thailand managing director Christoph Mueller reported no cancellations on current bookings for Bangkok and the rest of Thailand, but said the company had to cancel up to 900 Bangkok city tours scheduled for cruise passengers for today and tomorrow to avoid traffic.
Asian Trails CEO Luzi Matzig also reported no cancellations but said about 10 tour operators in Berlin had enquired about the situation. “Demonstrations in Thailand are as normal as in any democratic country as long as there is no violence,” he said.
Thai-Chinese Tourism Alliance Association Vichit Prakobgosol said bookings from the China group series scheduled between March 13 and 20 had been postponed. He expects the market to return by the Thai New Year in April if the protests end quickly without violence.
Pullman Bangkok King Power general manager Marc Begasat said the hotel recorded 65 per cent occupancy today. “It would have been better in a normal situation. But at least it is not as bad as April last year when we received big cancellations.”
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