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Tourism

Tourism Operators Urge Government to Allocate Stimulus Measures Amid Severe Floods in North

Strategic Insights

— 1 min read

As severe floods in Nan province, driven by the Wipha tropical storm, leave tourists stranded and damage the local tourism industry, operators are calling on the government to provide stimulus measures to provinces affected. The situation is more dire than last year's floods, with water levels higher and flood speeds faster, inundating popular attractions and hotels. Many tourists have delayed their trips, and hotels are offering discounts and promotional packages to revive bookings.

Key Takeaways:

  • The floods in Nan province have left over 10 guests stranded at Sangthong Resort, with the owner, Chanchai Limsuwan, expecting a heavier cost burden for business operators than last year's floods.
  • Over half of the hotels in Nan's city district have been severely impacted, compared to only a few last year.
  • The local tourism industry is expected to pick up again in the fourth quarter with an occupancy rate of over 80%, but operators may need to launch promotional packages to revive bookings.
  • The Tourism Council of Thailand is urging the government to allocate stimulus measures for provinces facing the impact of floods.
  • The Chiang Rai Tourism Association is requesting an additional subsidy programme dedicated to provinces encountering floods.
  • A major challenge facing the tourism industry is the ongoing problem of toxic metal pollution in the Kok River in Chiang Rai, which is affecting confidence among operators and tourists.
  • The Cambodia-Thailand dispute near the border has started to hamper tourism in the region.

Statistics:

  • The occupancy rate of hotels in Nan province is around 30-40% during the low season.
  • Over 10 guests are stranded at Sangthong Resort due to the floods.
  • The water level in the floods is higher than last year's, and the floods are flowing at a higher speed.
  • Some areas have reported flood depths of more than 2 meters.
  • The number of hotels impacted in Nan's city district is more than twice the number affected last year.

Sources:

  • Chanchai Limsuwan, owner of Sangthong Resort and former president of the Tourism Council of Nan, quoted in the source article.
  • Meka Sirichairungruang, president of the Chiang Rai Tourism Association, quoted in the source article.
  • Chai Arunanondchai, president of the Tourism Council of Thailand, quoted in the source article.

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