Bomb threats hamper waning European fliers

Bomb threats targeting European flights on Thursday exacerbated a 20-30% decline in long-haul tourism, already diminished by soaring fuel prices and airfares. The Association of Thai Travel Agents (Atta) is advocating for government incentives to boost 300 flights from China and Russia, aiming to generate 2.25 billion baht in revenue from 45,000 tourists and restore confidence in the Chinese market.

Nearly 30 European flights were affected by bomb threats, though all arrived safely. Thailand's Tourism and Sports Minister Surasak Phancharoenworakul warned that the incident could further weaken demand in the European market, already impacted by the economic factors. The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) has been instructed to intensify marketing efforts within its annual budget to maintain demand.

Thanet Supornsahasrungsi, president of the Chonburi Tourism Federation, noted that the European market has contracted by 20-30% year-on-year due to rising airfares and diminished trust in Middle Eastern transit hubs. Bomb threats may exacerbate this decline, as travelers delaying bookings might face higher costs if they cancel. Despite this, those with tickets are likely to proceed, as postponing flights could prove costly.

Confusion over Middle East conflicts and safety concerns following bomb threats will persistently affect the long-haul market. Pattaya could attract strong Russian demand, but reliance on a single market is insufficient to sustain the entire industry. Surasak met with Chinese Ambassador Zhang Jianwei to discuss cooperation, emphasizing that the embassy issued standard security advisories, though media reports may have overstated concerns, contributing to the decline in Chinese arrivals after the Golden Week holiday.

Adith Chairattananon, Atta's honorary secretary-general, anticipates a potential rebound in the Chinese market this year, driven by incentives for around 1,000 charter flights, but warns of a slowdown in the latter months due to the travel advisory. Without further measures, Chinese arrivals are projected to remain below the double-digit growth forecast at the year's beginning.