Dutch tourists still go to Thailand
Dutch tourists will not let their holiday plans be disrupted by the political unrest Thailand. Travel organizations say they don't notice much of it, according to a tour of the NOS.
The political unrest that has gripped Thailand for months has reached a climax in recent weeks with an army coup, a curfew, hundreds of arrests, followed by street protests.
According to the Thai Ministry of Sports and Tourism, the consequences in the tourism sector are major: the flow of travelers to Thailand is said to have fallen by 20 percent. That is a sensitive loss for Thailand, where tourism directly and indirectly contributes almost 17 percent to the gross domestic product.
But that image is not recognized by any travel organization in the Netherlands. “Although the number of bookings is lower this year than last year, that applies to all destinations,” says Mirjam Desmee of travel organization ANVR, who attributes the decline to the consequences of the economic crisis.
TUI offers people who have planned a trip to Thailand the option of rebooking to another destination free of charge, but this is only rarely used, says a spokesperson. Thomas Cook, Djoser and 333TRAVEL all confirm there is no panic.
The reason? The Dutch are used to something, is a frequently heard statement. Canceling means losing money, is another. And furthermore, the unrest is mainly limited to Bangkok, so you should not linger there, is the advice that travel organizations give. They admit that it is now low season in Thailand, but expect that the rest of the year will also be better than expected.
Director Herman van der Velde of Djoser even doubts whether there are really 20 percent fewer tourists coming to Thailand, as the Ministry of Sports and Tourism says. “I wouldn't be surprised if they make it worse than it is. In this way, they are putting pressure on the army to quickly normalize the situation. Otherwise the economic price is too high.”
Furthermore, travel organizations think that any decrease is mainly caused by tourists from the region who stay at home. The Chinese in particular, who have trampled Thailand in recent years, are now staying at home en masse, says Arno van Uffelen of 333TRAVEL.
Yes, people who have already booked or paid for their ticket will not cancel so quickly as long as it doesn't get out of hand. However, for the people who were considering possibly. going on holiday in Thailand (and certainly for those who would go for the first time) I think that many have looked a little further in a travel brochure to countries such as Malaysia, Indonesia and Vietnam, etc. Believe me, Thailand will continue this nonsense until at least 2015 feel hard also in terms of Western tourists because they have of course not advertised the country in recent months.
Totally agree with you Rick
I know a family with 2 small children who wanted to go to Thailand
But have decided not to go. I can't blame them. Everyone on the Blog doesn't say anything
by the way, just come here. As long as you don't do this or that, nothing is wrong.
I personally wouldn't have to think about it for a second if I had small children
to go on vacation to a country I don't know. Where a coup has just been committed
And I don't recommend them either. I was there 38 years ago when there was a coup
complete massacres took place there. I've seen someone set themselves on fire
stabbed. Do you think you will have a nice holiday then? Yes we fled Bangkok.
You didn't notice it in Pataya. I'm still ashamed that I continued on holiday. In my opinion, continuing to flock to Thailand sends the wrong signal
to the person responsible for all this misery
The housing market is completely at a loss and the brokers hardly notice it, they also claim. If you admit such a thing, the desire to buy will completely decline by leaps and bounds. Similarly, travel agencies will not like to admit that bookings to Thailand have declined. This only sows unrest and that is not good for the industry. Nor will they admit that the number of bookings has fallen due to the crisis. Ah; after all, that's how trade works.
Fortunately, Dutch travelers do not let themselves be fooled, but continue to settle in Thailand. It is bad enough that many Thais cannot go through a door together, let alone that every tourist would cancel his trip, thus creating misery for the ordinary, hardworking Thai just magnifying.
Had understood that the Chinese stay away so en masse because of their (travel) insurance, which apparently does not cover these kinds of situations, and thus keeps the Chinese tourist out of Thailand.
Hope there will be a real (political) solution for this beautiful, but divided country soon.
Gr. Seven Eleven.
It is also questionable whether the experiences of the travel organizations provide a complete picture. After all, many simply book a ticket to Thailand without going through a travel agency, and also arrange their stay in the country themselves.
Just received an email from a friend who went back to Koh Chang last week where he has lived for almost 10 years. He said that it was remarkably quiet with regard to the number of tourists at the moment in, for example, White Sand Beach, where he lives nearby. In previous years always a lot busier at this time.
I think Joseph Jongen has a strong point, you are not going to talk down your own trade.
The economic growth figures will undoubtedly show it in a while, the forecasts of which have already been revised downwards.
Since the tourism money is a large part of the Thai income, unfortunately, many Thai will notice this. Rising inflation is already a harbinger of this.
http://www.thaivisa….-3#entry7918971
Airline bookings to Thailand have plunged from 28,000 inbound bookings/day on May 19 to 5,000 daily cancellations following the May 22 coup /The Nation
It is definitely going back. In my hotel in Bangkok, the owner complains bitterly that there is hardly any occupation left. A friend of mine works in a large hotel and due to the absence of customers, a reduction in working hours has started. Everyone works 3 days less per month. Obviously, for Thailand, without pay.
Yet I noticed little or nothing of the coup. Not a single soldier seen in those two days in Bangkok to and from the airport, so in that respect it's not too bad and no reason to stay away.
What I don't understand is that when I check the hotel prices, these have even increased for our favorite hotel.
We ourselves postponed it for a while to go. But are already busy looking for tickets because once you've been, you've closed Thailand to your heart. We have always felt safe, but the clock stopped us. We always say to each other when we land in Bangkok we are back home.
Within the total of the tourist flow to Thailand, the number of Dutch tourists is really negligible. Only the annual GROWTH of the number of Russians and Chinese who come here on holiday exceeds the TOTAL number of Dutch people in absolute figures.
Also striking, the number of Russians has been minimal in Pattaya since the unrest between Russia and Ukraine. In Naklua Road, where they often stay, the streets are empty. Shops and restaurants closed, signs on the door open again in 2 months.
Jomtien also very quiet with the number of Russians. But this was already the case before the Coup.
Moderator: Your comment is off topic.
I have been on holiday to Thailand several times, a fantastic country and that is why I really enjoy coming there with my wife. If I had the opportunity to get on a plane again tomorrow, I wouldn't think about it for too long and go. I get the idea that tourists are a bit scared by all the stories that are spread.
Okay, a coup has taken place and the military is now in power, but I don't think there was any other solution for a while. But if the demonstrators had been allowed to continue, it would have been much more dangerous and it now seems a lot safer to me. Of course it is not a pleasant sight to see armed soldiers walking down the street, but they do keep order.
Maybe I'm seeing it through the wrong glasses and opinions will remain divided on this, but wanted
please respond to this.
We fly to Thailand at the beginning of July. Quite worried parents and self a gut feeling.
Can you tell me more about the atmosphere / safety in Thailand? Where should/not come?
Hopefully we can enjoy this beautiful country for a month with peace of mind!
Thanks in advance!
@ anne Consult the website of the Dutch embassy in Bangkok. There you will find useful tips on what you should and shouldn't do: Q&A: Answers to the most frequently asked questions. Url: http://thailand.nlambassade.org/nieuws/2014/01/demonstraties.html
Thank you for your response, I know the site. Stay tuned for the most current news.
I would like to know some more experiences of people who are currently staying in Thailand or have just returned?
@ anne What I've read since May 20 (martial law) and May 22 (coup) in reactions can roughly be summarized as follows: we notice little or nothing of it. I am leaving for Thailand tomorrow. Will add my own experiences.
Dick, do you already have nice experiences for me?
@ Annetta Yes. Read my columns on Thailandblog's Facebook page and my column: https://www.thailandblog.nl/column/nog-geen-soldaat-gezien-hoezo-dictatuur/
How nice that you want to add some experiences to it.
Have a nice trip and lots of fun in Thailand!