Floods to shave off Bt35bn in tourism revenue
Floods will shave off tourism revenue by over Bt35 billion, as tourist arrivals drop by 15-20 per cent on warnings against travelling to Bangkok issued by over 30 countries.
Kongkrit Hiranyakit, president of Tourism Council of Thailand's policy and planning, said that Suvarnabhumi Airport in Bangkok is the gateway to Thailand for 70 per cent of tourist arrivals. A drop in tourist arrivals results in a loss of Bt25 billion in tourism revenue.
He also noted that domestic tourism also drops 30 per cent due to road damage. Meanwhile, tourism activities were cancelled. These will shave off tourism revenue by Bt10 billion.
"It's important that the government assures the world that Suvarnabhumi Airport would be protected against floods, with measures to ensure safe transportation from the airport to tourist destinations," he said, asking the government to make direct contacts with the countries issuing the travel warning as well as major international tour agents.
He also urged for soft loans to tourism business operators and compensation to affected workers.
