The Impacts on Thailand Tourism
Boxing Day Tsunami
Since the tsunami’s impact in Thailand were mainly focused on its popular tourist region and during holiday season as well, Thailand had significantly higher percentage of tourists as victims during the Boxing Day Tsunami compared to other countries . Tourism exposes any individuals to uncommon and sometimes severe dangers. Hotels and Asian Restaurants at near beach location which has been the main tourist attraction in the southern part of Thailand made the area much more vulnerable to tsunamis or typhoons. Tourism plays important role in Thailand’s economy, providing percent contribution for Thailand’s GDP in 2002 and a vital for economy in Phuket, the main tourist destination on southern Thailand.
Tourist visits are dramatically decreased after the tsunami since tourist destinations were the most directly affected areas by the tsunami. Numbers of visitors was a greatly declined in Phuket and Phang Nga after the tsunami. The number of domestic tourists in Phuket almost equals the number of. While in Phang Nga foreign tourists were vastly outnumbered by domestic tourists. In Phang Nga, overall revenue from tourism declined 82 percent and 99.4 percent from foreign tourists. While Phuket’s overall revenue declined 71 percent and 79.2 percent from foreign tourists. The decline is undoubtedly caused by the tsunami.
Thailand government swiftly handled this issue since developed physical infrastructure and social security are mandatory requirement for tourism industry. Phuket which suffered minor damages only had 90 percent of their hotel rooms reopened no later than three weeks after the tsunami. Khao Lak is the latest tourist area that reopened their hotels since this area was mostly destroyed by the tsunami.
