Hotels and airlines across Thailand are grappling with mass cancellations from Chinese tour groups ahead of the upcoming Chinese New Year holiday. Independent tourist bookings are also slowing, as concerns over safety continue to dampen enthusiasm for travel to the country.
The cancellations follow a wave of recent safety-related incidents. Last week, Hong Kong singer and actor Eason Chan canceled his scheduled concert in Thailand, citing concerns for the safety of Chinese fans planning to attend. Additionally, the Hong Kong Security Bureau dispatched a task force to Thailand to address incidents of their citizens being lured into job scams in Southeast Asia.
Natthriya Thaweevong, Permanent Secretary for Tourism and Sports in Thailand, clarified that these scams had not targeted tourists. She explained that affected individuals were Hong Kong nationals hired to transport goods to South Asia but were instead tricked into entering Myanmar via Thailand. Hong Kong authorities have since advised citizens to remain cautious if approached with high-paying job offers.
In response, Thailand’s Ministry of Tourism and Sports has increased safety measures, with Tourist Police now offering 24-hour assistance to visitors. The ministry has also engaged with Hong Kong authorities to assure them of Thailand’s commitment to tourist safety.
The fallout is particularly pronounced in the hospitality and aviation sectors. According to Prachoom Tantiprasertsuk, Chairperson of Marketing at the Thai Hotels Association (THA), hotels in major destinations such as Bangkok, which depend heavily on Chinese tour groups, are reporting significant cancellations. Tour companies are finding it easier to cancel bookings compared to independent travelers, whose reservations are often non-refundable.
Despite the challenges, Prachoom noted that occupancy rates had been strong prior to the recent controversies. Hotels in Bangkok had reported 70-80% occupancy, while resort destinations like Phuket reached 80-90%. However, the current trend suggests a short-term decline unless confidence in safety is quickly restored.
The aviation sector is also feeling the pinch. Thai Lion Air’s commercial head, Nuntaporn Komonsittivate, confirmed a sharp rise in cancellations of charter flights planned for the Chinese New Year. Meanwhile, a source from Thai AirAsia highlighted a slowdown in new bookings from Chinese customers, citing apprehensions about travel safety.
Industry stakeholders, including hotels and airlines, are closely monitoring the situation. Many are waiting for clearer trends by the end of this week, given that the visa-free policy between Thailand and China allows last-minute travel decisions, particularly during the peak holiday season in late January.
As officials work to restore confidence, the tourism industry hopes to mitigate the impact of these concerns and recover the momentum built in the lead-up to the festive period.
