The political unrest in Jammu and Kashmir (J&K) and frequent landslides in Himachal Pradesh have seen a steady diversion of tourists to Thailand in the past few months. Thailand has been rapidly attracting most tourists put off by the disasters in the Indian destinations.
Official figures stated the number of tourists visiting here this season were almost double as compared to last year. According to Thai Airways manager Kumud Mehta, more Indians were visiting Bangkok and other parts of Thailand than ever before.
Though there were disturbances in Thailand as well, there had been no long-term effect on the inflow of tourists from India, Mehta said, adding that low-cost hotels and shopping places remained all-time favourite attractions for tourists. “It is much cheaper to go to Thailand than to tour within India,” he added.
Chattan Kunjara Na Ayudhya, director of the tourism authority of Thailand, said the tourism industry here had been evidently recovering from the effects of the political crisis as the inflow of tourists had looked up in the past few months. He hoped to succeed in achieving the target of 14 million visitors. The Thai government was also making efforts to dispel the impression overseas that Thailand was disturbed in any way, he said.
For instance, popular tourist spot, the ‘Land Of Smiles’, has limped back to normal after the political turbulence that hit the country last year. Prime minister Abhisit Vejjajva has been making sure that the premier tourist destination that Thailand has been for ages did not lose its sheen.
The Thai government has also launched a massive publicity campaign to woo Indian tourists — touted as big spenders — since the country hasn’t exactly been at the top of most countries’ holiday wish list this year. The government has decided to waive tourist visa fees until March 31, 2011. Many hotels have also launched special packages and promotions for Indian visitors offering a good bargain. And the plans seem to be working as travel operators across the country are reporting an increase in bookings.
A hotel manager, while admitting that the political instability dented bookings from India for a short while, said Thailand had now turned the corner with bookings for popular tourist spots going strong. “We have already seen an increase in bookings to Thailand. Hopefully as stability continues we will see more tourists come back and the travel industry will resume growing again,” said Pinky Arora, a senior executive of the Thailand tourism authority.
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