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Tourism

Thai-Cambodian Border Tensions Hit Tourism

Strategic Insights

— 1 min read

Tensions between Thailand and Cambodia along their disputed border are starting to impact tourism in Thailand, particularly in the seven border provinces. According to the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT), forward bookings for flights in August have slowed down due to border skirmishes. Chanthaburi tourism operators have reported cancellations from foreign tourists for the remainder of the year. Tourism operators are urging the government to offer relief measures for affected businesses, including tax reductions.

Key Takeaways:

  • Forward bookings for flights in August have slowed down by 2.7% year-on-year, with 675,551 bookings in 2024 and 564,281 bookings in 2023 before the border clashes.
  • Chanthaburi tourism operators have reported cancellations from European tourists planning to visit the province from September to December.
  • Average occupancy in Chanthaburi is expected to be 40% in August, particularly for hotels located near the beach, but most hotels are expected to record only 20-30% occupancy for the month.
  • The TAT's co-payment scheme has seen 300,000 privileges for major tourism cities fully redeemed and 406,326 of 500,000 total privileges booked for the overall scheme.
  • Tourist operators in Chanthaburi are urging the government to offer relief measures, including annual tax reductions for employees and tourism operators in the province and six other border provinces.
  • Hotels in the Muang district of Buri Ram are still open and receiving some locals who evacuated from risk areas near the border to seek temporary stays.

Statistics:

  • Forward bookings for flights in August have slowed down by 2.7% year-on-year.
  • 675,551 bookings in 2024 compared to 564,281 bookings in 2023 before the border clashes.
  • 406,326 of 500,000 total privileges booked for the TAT's co-payment scheme.
  • 93,570 privileges for second-tier provinces remaining in the TAT's co-payment scheme.
  • Average occupancy in Chanthaburi expected to be 40% in August for hotels located near the beach.
  • 20-30% occupancy expected for most hotels in Chanthaburi for the month of August.

Sources:

  • Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT)
  • ForwardKeys
  • Chanthaburi Tourism Association
  • Poompat Tangcharoensiri, president of the Chanthaburi Tourism Association
  • Chatchaipat Sararam, president of the Tourism Council of Buri Ram
  • Tourism Council of Chanthaburi
  • Thai-Cambodian General Border Committee meeting in Malaysia

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