Thailand braces for impact from Phuket boat tragedy

13 Jul 2018 2125 | World Travel News

As the tourist boat accident in Phuket last week made global headlines, particularly in the Chinese social media world, and highlighted tourist safety issues in Thailand, tour operators in the country are awaiting short-term fallout on the Chinese inbound sector although how the incident would play out in the long term is still very much in the air.

Adith Chairattananon, honorary secretary general of Association of Thai Travel Agents (ATTA) and president of Golden Discovery Express, said some tour operators selling tour packages in China have ceased sales of tour packages to Phuket as well as marketing activities related to maritime tours.

A Buddhist ceremony was held at Phuket’s Chalong Pier, in remembrance of those who lost their lives in the recent boat incident

But Adith believes that the Chinese inbound sector will be moderately affected by the accident in Phuket, albeit only in the short term.

ATTA president Vichit Prakobgosol, who is also managing director of CCT Express, shares the opinion that the impact on Thailand’s tourism will not be too severe, with a slight decrease in the numbers of Chinese travellers within the next two weeks a likely scenario.

He explained that only a portion of Chinese inbound tourism to Thailand involves travelling by boat, and that the country offers other areas for discovery including the northern and north-eastern regions.

Chotechuang Soorangura, associate managing director of NS Travel & Tours, believes that any form of accident along with inefficient disaster management tends to lower the safety credibility of a destination.

In this case, the situation is made worse by the Thai authorities trying to scapegoat nominee tour operators as a quick fix for the country’s image.