SET-listed Asset World Corp (AWC) has reopened its 19 hotels for the new flow of travellers following the country's reopening, while the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) aims for 625.7 billion baht revenue this year.
AWC's chief executive and president Wallapa Traisorat said the occupancy rate picked up from October to 30% this month, while those of gateway cities like Bangkok and Phuket have seen double growth since Nov 1.
AWC currently has 19 hotels in six major tourism cities -- Bangkok, Krabi, Hua Hin, Phuket, Chiang Mai and Koh Samui -- which have all already received the Amazing Thailand Safety & Health Administration (SHA) Plus standard.
AWC also introduced Test & Rest SHA+ package to tap tourists enrolling in the Test & Go scheme which requires them to spend the first night in the hotel while waiting for RT-PCR test results.
The resumption of international arrivals, particularly high-spending tourists, as well as Mice (meetings, incentives, conventions and exhibitions) events like team buildings, corporate groups and weddings are considered a positive sign for Thai tourism this year and early next year.
The company opened the 248-room Courtyard by Marriott Phuket Town yesterday which was renovated and rebranded from Metropole Phuket to capitalise on growing demand.
Mrs Wallapa said the new hotel already received bookings, including 2,000-room nights from an air crew.
After the country's reopening this month, the flow of travellers started to increase as seen in the Phuket sandbox which used to receive up to 500 tourists per day before picking up to 1,000 tourists per day on average, said Thapanee Kiatphaibool, TAT deputy governor for domestic marketing.
As of Nov 8, the number of international travellers stood at 19,624. Most came from Germany, the US, the UK, Japan and Russia.
She said tourism arrivals for the last two months are expected at 300,000 per month, or 10% of 3 million monthly prior to the outbreak as there are already signs of a travel rebound from forward bookings.
Meanwhile, tourism income in 2022 might increase to 1.9 trillion baht from 18 million international arrivals and 160 million trips from local travellers.
For domestic tourism, the TAT plans to launch sets of campaigns to stimulate travel demand, such as Unseen New Series, Workation Thailand and Thailand Premium.
