Bangkok bombs not scaring tourists away

Bangkok: Thailand expects to draw nearly 15 million foreign tourists this year, up 8 per cent from last year, despite New Year's Eve bombs that cast a shadow over the lucrative industry, a senior tourism official said this week.

The bombs, which killed 3 people and wounded 38 in Bangkok, triggered fewer booking cancellations in the first week of January than feared, Tourism Authority of Thailand Deputy Governor Suraphon Svetasreni said.

"The cancellation rate is considered small, less than five per cent on average," Suraphon told Reuters in an interview.

"We hope the impact will be limited and short term. So we're maintaining our target," he added.

Thailand is aiming for 14.8 million foreign arrivals in 2007, generating revenues of 547.5 billion baht ($15.2 billion), up 13.8 per cent from 481 billion baht last year.

Arrivals rose 18 per cent to 13.6 million in 2006, barely missing a 13.8 million target despite months of political turmoil that culminated in the September 19 coup which ousted Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra.

"We did quite well last year given what happened in September," Suraphon said.

Premier beaches

Asians accounted for 60 per cent of visitors last year, led by Malaysia, Japan, South Korea and China. Europeans were the second largest group at 24 per cent.

Home to some of Asia's premier beaches and resorts, Thailand has remained a top tourist draw despite the impact of SARS, the Indian Ocean tsunami and bird flu in recent years. The Bangkok bombs presaged another turbulent year ahead and prompted Australia, the United States and Britain to issue travel advisories, urging their citizens to avoid all public gatherings and to remain vigilant in the sprawling capital of nine million.

"We are still positive on the industry this year, provided no more serious things happen and the situation returns to normal quickly," Suraphon said.

TAT officials planned to meet hotel and tour operators later this week to asses the impact of the Bangkok bombs.

"We are not complacent and we will keep monitoring the situation to see if bookings during February and March are still good," he said of the two-month period that includes Chinese New Year.