PATTAYA, Thailand – Thailand’s tourism industry is already feeling the effects of the Middle East conflict after two weeks of fighting, with private sector representatives warning that the impact could extend through the second and third quarters of the year.
Phumkit Raktaengam, Vice President of the Tourism Council of Thailand, said the immediate impact has been a sharp drop in passengers who would normally transit through Middle Eastern hubs before traveling to Thailand.
According to Phumkit, at least 50,000–60,000 travelers have already disappeared from the pipeline, including not only visitors from the Middle East but also Europeans who rely on connections through the region. The main destinations affected are Bangkok, Phuket, and Krabi.
He noted that the decline in European tourists is not yet alarming, as this period marks the end of Europe’s high travel season to Thailand. However, the Middle Eastern market is a greater concern, particularly toward the end of Ramadan.
Many travelers from the Middle East typically visit Thailand between April and June, but if the regional conflict continues, 80–90% of this group could cancel or postpone their trips, he said. Although the number of Middle Eastern tourists is relatively small compared with other markets, their spending power is considered very high.
If tensions ease within the next month, losses could shrink to around 30–40%, but Phumkit warned that overall tourism sentiment may remain fragile due to concerns about safety, global economic conditions, and travel confidence.
Another factor beyond Thailand’s control is rising oil prices, which have already begun affecting the tourism sector. Higher fuel costs are pushing up airline ticket prices, which could discourage 20–30% of potential long-haul travelers, particularly from Europe, the United States, and Russia.
To mitigate the impact, Thailand’s tourism sector is focusing on boosting confidence and targeting short-haul markets, including ASEAN countries, Japan, South Korea, China, Taiwan, India, Malaysia, and Australia.
Phumkit said the Songkran festival next month will be a key opportunity to stimulate tourism. Even though some forecasts predict fewer international arrivals, authorities – particularly the Tourism Authority of Thailand – are planning large-scale celebrations to restore travel confidence and attract visitors from markets less affected by the Middle East situation.
The strategy is to strengthen tourism during the second and third quarters, before aiming again for Thailand’s annual target of 37 million visitors in the fourth quarter. (TNA)
