Thailand fears tourism slump following airport closure

Thailand’s tourism industry is preparing for adverse reactions after flooding forced the closure of a Bangkok airport.

Travel Insurance News - 27/10/2011

<< Experts say tour firm failures are inevitable | Travel News | Qantas flying again after court ruling >>

The news follows months of heavy monsoon rains in the central and northern parts of the country, which are beginning to inundate the capital as the water travels towards the sea. And on Wednesday all flights were cancelled and facilities were shut at Don Muang airport – the secondary hub for the Thai capital – as up to one metre of floodwater moved onto the tarmac, surrounding roads and runways.

However the primary air gateway in Bangkok, Suvarnabumhi International, remains unaffected thus far and most tourists are still able to arrive and depart on both international and domestic flights unscathed.

But tourism officials say the news has already hit bookings and can have a serious impact on the local economy, 6 per cent of which is comprised of tourism enterprises.

Association of Thai Travel Agents president Sisdivachr Cheewarattanporn said to reporters than some holidaymakers in Asian markets were already cancelling trips and that if flooding conditions continue to worsen that future bookings are expected to drop by as much as 20 per cent.

The worries come despite normalcy in several popular seaside tourist areas in the country including Phuket, Koh Samui and Pattaya.

<< Experts say tour firm failures are inevitable | Travel News | Qantas flying again after court ruling >>