Authorities assessing impacts from political rallies on Thai tourism

BANGKOK, November 29 (TNA) - Authorities are assessing impacts from Thailand's ongoing political rallies on the domestic tourism, as the Association of Thai Travel Agents (ATTA) says that there have been no reports of any cancelation of visits to Thailand by international tourists so far. Tourism and Sports Ministry Spokesman Watchara Kannikar told journalists on Friday that Tourism and Sports Minister Somsak Pureesrisak has ordered officials concerned to accelerate collecting information concerning negative impacts on the domestic tourism from the current anti-government protests. The spokesman noted that private tourism operators have also been invited for discussions on the impacts, and that concerned officials have also been ordered by the ministe to provide assistance to tourists who may be affected by the ongoing political demonstrations. In another development, Suwipan Thisyamondol, Deputy Director-General of the Thai Ministry of Commerce's Department of International Trade Promotion Department, told reporters that his department has also invited local industrialists for a meeting next week to explore ways to assist affected business operators. Meanwhile, ATTA President Sisdivachr Cheewarattanaporn reported that international tourists have not yet canceled their scheduled visits to Thailand so far. According to ATTA president, although 28 countries have issued warnings to their citizens to avoid protest locations, all of them have not prohibited their people from travelling to Thailand and their warnings stand at only the low level 2, not the high levels 4-5. The ATTA president, however, expressed concerns over negative impact on Thailand’s tourism if the protests were prolonged, urging all parties concerned to hold talks to seek an agreed solution. (TNA)