Downside to the Games

Interesting piece of Olympic related news to Thailand:

China’s Olympic visa restrictions succeeded in stifling bookings from Thailand. What was earlier billed as a dream event turned into a nightmare for Thai outbound operators failed to deliver enough bookings to keep their scheduled China trips alive through the Olympics.

Toughening Beijing Olympic visa policy ended group visas, while requesting for an individual visa required more documents such as hotel reservations and airline tickets. The new policies were introduced to beef up security.

For tourists, the only positive spin-off was Beijing hotels suffered a massive loss in bookings.

NS Travel & Tour outbound operation manager, Sommai Mannatirai, said: “Before these policies were introduced, hotels were demanding a minimum stay of 14 days but I heard that it had now dropped to10 days. Rates are still very high, about 200% to 300% over pre-Olympic rates”

Panda Holiday sales manager, Wanlapa Poontawachirapan, said temporary policies caused inconveniences to group travel as her clients had to pay more to obtain a visa.

“For a group visa, it costs Bt800 per person, but with an independent visa, you have to pay Bt1,000 per person,” she added.

As Beijing became a high-priced destination, other destinations in China suffered from earthquakes especially Chengdu in the southwest.

“Roads were damages making it impossible to reach tourist attractions,” she continued.

Majestic Travel International sales supervisor, Jiratthiti Suthipholphaibul, commented: “After the Olympics, if these regulations continue, we will expect to see a major decline in travel to China. Right now travelling to China is for business reasons.”

Although there are still some booking to Beijing, Kunming, Guilin and Shanghai, most of them come from incentive groups. During this period last year, agents said there bookings were packed and the country was at the height of its popularity with travellers. However, they are not predicting a return to that level of popularity this year.