The baht’s rise to a four-year high may slow inbound tourism during peak season, though attractive room rates and cheaper international flights could offset this. Udom Srimahachota of the Thai Hotels Association noted that undecided travelers might choose destinations like Vietnam or Japan instead.
However, Thailand is still expecting a surge in long-haul visitors in the fourth quarter, supported by pre-booked trips and lower accommodation costs through travel agents. Flight prices from Europe have also decreased to 50,000-60,000 baht, helping boost travel.
Hotel occupancy in Hua Hin and Cha-am is projected at 70-80%, with room rates increasing slightly, remaining comparable to last year. The majority of visitors are expected from Europe, and unless the baht exceeds 31 to the dollar, the impact on tourism should be limited.
To support the industry, experts suggest the new government and central bank adopt measures to manage the exchange rate favorably. As of September 7, foreign arrivals totaled 22.3 million, down 7.1% year-on-year, with Chinese visitors dropping by one-third.
Udom urged quick initiatives like a domestic co-payment scheme and safe travel stamps to boost confidence and revive the sector.