BANGKOK, April 1 (TNA) — Fine dust is significantly affecting tourism in northern provinces, especially Chiang Mai where hotel reservations drop by 10%, according to the Tourism Council of Thailand (TCT).
TCT vice president Yutthachai Soonthornrattanavate said the number of visitors to the North started to decline before the New Year festival. Thai tourists were concerned about political situations and there was not a powerful measure to stimulate vacations.
Meanwhile, foreign tourists were worried about thick fine dust that had been continuously reported in Bangkok and other provinces. Although smog in the North was seasonal, its level this year was very high and people were receiving reports on the air pollution via social media, Mr Yutthachai said.
“In Chiang Mai, operators have complained about declining hotel reservations since the lead-up to the Lunar New Year. The reservations drop about 10%. There are also impacts on tour buses, guides, vendors and tour companies,” he said.
Yuthasak Supasorn, governor of the Tourism Authority of Thailand, visited Chiang Mai to study tourism situation and impacts. (TNA)
