Soft tourism openings expected for Hua Hin and Cha-am in last quarter of 2021

The Tourism Authority of Thailand expects a soft re-opening for the holiday destinations of Hua Hin and Cha-am during the last quarter of 2021. In total, deputy TAT governor Nithee Seeprae says both resort cities are only expected to receive 5% of 2019’s foreign tourist numbers. According to a Bangkok Post report, he says foreign tourists cannot stay in either city on their first night as they are over 2 hours from the capital.

According to Nithee, most foreign arrivals have opted for the districts of Pran Buri and Thap Sakae over Hua Hin and Cha-am. In the days before Covid-19, Hua Hin welcomed around a million foreign visitors a year, while Cha-am received around 500,000 annually. Both cities have become reliant on domestic tourism, with Nithee saying they’re unlikely to attract the foreign tourists who are more drawn to places like Phuket.

He goes on to say that Air Asia are considering launching a service from Kuala Lumpur to Hua Hin and Jetstar are planning to operate flights from Singapore. Nithee is hopeful the flights from Kuala Lumpur could attract more Malaysian golfers to Hua Hin.

Meanwhile, Krod Rojanastien, who heads up the Hua Hin Recharge programme, says the occupancy rate in Hua Hin is currently only around 30%, but expected to double in December.

“Bookings from Thailand Pass will be seen after November 10, with operators expecting between 500 and 1,000 travellers a month, with spending per trip doubling to 80,000 baht, and an average length of stay of 7 days.”

Karun Suttharomn from the Tourism Council of Phetchaburi says marketing campaigns are underway to attract more visitors during the last month of the year. He believes the hotel occupancy rate could reach 70% – 75% thanks to domestic tourism.

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SOURCE: Bangkok Post