Thailand among top destinations for Indians.
Travel agencies are seeing over 20 to 25 per cent cancellations from travellers visiting Thailand as a result of fears on safety due to the declaration of emergency in the country yesterday. Thailand is among the top three destinations for outbound travellers from India.
With malls and shopping centres — one of the major tourist attractions — being shut down, travellers have decided to postpone their trips indefinitely. “ We have seen around 25 per cent cancellations. No one wants to go on a holiday with fear to get locked up in mind,” said Arjun Sharma, managing director, Le Passage to India.
There are fears that the situation might worsen. The holiday season for tourists in India builds up between April and May. The current crisis is expected to have an adverse impact on the leisure travellers. “The effect of the situation in Thailand will have more of an immediate impact. At least 30-40 per cent cancellations should take place. We will have a clearer picture in a couple of days,”said Vijay Thakur, president, Indian Association of Tour Operators.
The crises has already lead some tour operators to advise their clients to hold on their visit to Thialand. “Personally, we are advising travellers to look for alternate destinations and wait for things to unfold in Thailand before deciding their itinerary,” said Ajay Prakash, general secretary, Travel Agents Federation of India (TAFI).
Travel portal Yatra’s co founder Sabina Chopra said if the situation worsens then arrangements would be made to get the travellers back and further bookings would be cancelled. Some companies organising business conferences have also shelved their plans. Says a senior executive of a global sportswear company which was organising a business trip: “No one wants to risk one’s life to visit another country”.
This is not the first time that Thailand has been in crises. Last year too, due to protests against the government, flights had got blocked, driving away the passengers. This year, there is fear among tourists that matters may escalate.
Meanwhile, a statement issued by Thailand’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs said the United Front for Democracy Against Dictatorship rally at Ratchaprasong intersection, Bangkok’s main shopping district, has had a significant economic impact on department stores, shopping malls, retail outlets, hotels. “The government would do their utmost to restore peace and order as quickly as possible,” the statement mentioned. For those travelling to other destinations via Thailand, there haven’t been any cancellations yet.
