Malaysian tourists visiting Hat Yai spend less
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Malaysian tourists are now flocking to Hat Yai of Songkhla province to celebrate the Eid-al-Adha Festival but their spending is down, much less than in the previous years, probably due to the sluggish economy in their countries and others worldwide.
The festival, known as the ‘Feast of the Sacrifice’, is a major Muslim festival started yesterday and lasted for four days. Hat Yai has been shopping paradise for Thai and other nationals incluidng Malaysia.
Somchart Pimthanapoonporn, president of Hat Yai-Songkhla Hotel Association, said that 80 per cent of Hat Yai's hotel rooms have been booked by tourists, down from the same period in past years.
"Malaysian tourists have become cautious in spending, probably due to the poor economy in countries worldwide." He expected Bt20-30 million would change hands here during the festival.
