BANGKOK, April 3 (TNA) — Yuthasak Supasorn, governor of
the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT), expects the number of tourists in the North
will drop by 10% this year due to smoke haze.
He said he visited Chiang Mai and saw heavy air pollution in
Chiang Dao, Mae Rim and Fang districts. Hotel occupancy rates in the three
districts fell to less than 50% from 82% early last month, he said.
“Flights of foreign tourists have not been cancelled but
fine dust will affect the decisions of local tourists,” Mr Yuthasak said.
Concerned parties were trying to cope with the air
pollution. More tunnels of water would be installed in the North to welcome
visitors and simultaneously alleviate smog during the upcoming Songkran
festival, he said.
Under the circumstance, the number of visitors to the North
would decline by 10% this year but tourists could visit secondary provinces
instead, Mr Yuthasak said.
He hoped the fruit season in the East would restore tourism
in the country later. (TNA)
