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Published on December 12, 2007

President Songvit Itthipatanakul said the number of local travellers visiting Chiang Mai this year would be less than 3 million, down 20 per cent drop from last year.

The slowdown has been caused by many factors, such as oil-price increases, internal political turmoil, a poor economic environment and an absence of special events like last year's Royal Flora Expo.

Meanwhile, international tourists to Chiang Mai are expected to remain at last year's level, about 2 million, due to the economic

slowdown and stronger baht.

"The tourism industry in Chiang Mai has been recovering since last month, when the city's high season started. Many international and domestic airlines have added more flights, but that's not for the long term," said Songvit.

He said many restaurants and small and medium-sized hotels and resorts in Chiang Mai had closed operations from a lack of customers. But the overall tourism industry is expected to rebound very soon after the general election.

"Tourism income is expected to reach Bt50 billion next year, up from between Bt45 billion and 46 billion in 2006," said Songvit.

Songvit has called for the government to help the city by adding more marketing strategies and promotions, in order to reclaim visitors.

He urged the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) to finish the Chiang Mai Convention Hall - construction of which has been halted - as a magnet for the upper-niche meetings and conferences market.

Songvit said operators had started joining foreign tourism trade shows. The association has a joint event in Malaysia this month.

The group plans to join events in Hong Kong, Singapore, South Korea, Taiwan and Dubai next year.

"I hope these trips will help the tourism industry in Chiang Mai grow dramatically," he said.

He added that the province already featured good tourism products: natural attractions, heritage, culture, handicraft products, wellness and spas and a night safari.

The TAT and the association organised the four-day Chiang Mai Tourism Forum 2007, which ended on Sunday. Buyers from eight countries have negotiated with local operators to develop package tours in Chiang Mai and are expected to generate Bt3 billion in revenue.

Suchat Sritama

 The Nation

Chiang Mai