Tourists pose for pictures at the Temple of Dawn in Bangkok last month. (Photo: Varuth Hirunyatheb)
Thai tourism operators are looking beyond the sluggish low season and expect healthy bookings, particularly from European tourists, when the high season returns in the third quarter.Thapanee Kiatphaibool, governor of the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT), said most tourism operators still expect healthy bookings during the year-end winter high season despite concerns over geopolitical issues.
She said that if the conflict eases, inbound tourism is expected to recover quickly, particularly in the quality leisure segment.
"Despite high fuel prices and reduced flight capacity, large travel operators believe that demand to visit Thailand in the long-term remains strong, especially for cruise and premium tourism packages," she said.
However, the country may face intense competition for price-sensitive markets, as destinations such as China and Vietnam have already seized a massive share of tourists from Thailand.
