Chiang Mai desperate for more reservations

**zubber** · 27-10-2009, 06:15 PM

Tourism TOURISM

Chiang Mai counting on high season

Tourism operators in Chiang Mai are desperately hoping for promising business in the coming high season as room reservations by foreign tourists are still very low and trips by local travellers are not enough to offset them.
Reservations in Chiang Mai are still very low for the November-April period as some foreign tourists have delayed their decisions due to the lingering impact of the global recession.
However, the Thai Hotels Association's Northern Chapter expects more local tourists to travel to Chiang Mai when the weather gets cooler. They may plan their trips a week in advance and that should help the local operators to a certain degree by the end of this year.
Kanog Suvannavisutr, the association's president, said it projected an average high-season occupancy rate at 65% at most, compared with 67% in the same period last year. For the latest off-season (May-September), the rate dropped to 36%.
"Apart from the hotel oversupply problem, global economic problems, local political instability and the H1N1 flu are key factors dragging down Chiang Mai tourism," he added.
Mr Kanog said two-star hotels survived with some bookings because their rates were low, not more than 800 baht per night, and thus attracted local tourists and backpackers.
Four-star hotels with conference facilities are also getting some business because conferences are an important market for Chiang Mai. Their room rates are modest, at about 1,500 per night in the low season. The average occupancy of such four-star hotels wa 50%, which is very good for hotels in Chiang Mai.
Meanwhile, five-star hotels are in deep trouble because they cannot compete with four-star ones that offer room rates at almost half the price. Their occupancy is only 20% as a result.
Mr Kanog said hoteliers in Chiang Mai were also facing tough competition from apartments, which draw travellers during the high season, even though the law prohibits apartments from providing accommodation on a daily basis.
"Despite complaints made by hoteliers, apartments still accommodate guests on a daily basis. This is because the fine is small," Mr Kanog said.
In any case, operators hope that the economy will improve next year. The improvement should increase the purchasing power of tourists, especially foreign ones, and they should return to Chiang Mai, he said.

**BobR** · 27-10-2009, 06:18 PM

Whether the lack of tourists is because of the recession, the political situation or the various allegations of scamming, it is sad that most of the people who are hurting are not the ones who are responsible.

**AntRobertson** · 27-10-2009, 06:22 PM

even though the law prohibits apartments from providing accommodation on a daily basis

Really? Well there you go then, learn something new everyday I guess.

**Rural Surin** · 27-10-2009, 06:40 PM

Time to get back to basics. Subsistence local economy, less dependence on a corporate underwritting which has a fanciful foundation.

**Stinky** · 27-10-2009, 06:46 PM

Political situation is way too unstable for many tourists to bother with Thailand at the moment.
I wouldn't come until after the inevitable chaos subsides

**DrAndy** · 27-10-2009, 06:47 PM

the fares are quite good for less than a month stay, so maybe more will come

**shunpike** · 27-10-2009, 07:14 PM

I have no way of proving it, but I don't think the political situation has a lot to do with the depressed numbers. I really don't think folks spend a lot of time researching the political situation of the exotic country they plan to visit. It has something to do with the low numbers no doubt, but I think it's more the depressed economy worldwide. You give a guy a great deal for a two week holiday in LOS, so great that he figures he can well afford it, I say he takes the trip, fukced up politics be damned.

**Rural Surin** · 27-10-2009, 07:49 PM

Originally Posted by shunpike

I have no way of proving it, but I don't think the political situation has a lot to do with the depressed numbers. I really don't think folks spend a lot of time researching the political situation of the exotic country they plan to visit. It has something to do with the low numbers no doubt, but I think it's more the depressed economy worldwide. You give a guy a great deal for a two week holiday in LOS, so great that he figures he can well afford it, I say he takes the trip, fukced up politics be damned.

Exotic....??

**shunpike** · 27-10-2009, 09:18 PM

Perhaps Erotic would do better...even a stronger argument.

**jandajoy** · 27-10-2009, 09:22 PM

What's the best price for a 5 star long weekend in CM right now?

Are they negotiating?

**Don Juan** · 27-10-2009, 09:24 PM

It's nothing to do with politics.

People are simply skint.

**jandajoy** · 27-10-2009, 09:26 PM

Originally Posted by Don Juan

People are simply skint.

Good!

What's their best price for a top floor suite, balcony and spa essential.

second week of December for 5 nights.

**Muadib** · 27-10-2009, 10:12 PM

Originally Posted by DrAndy

the fares are quite good for less than a month stay, so maybe more will come

Not sure where you got that info, but it is not correct... Just booked airfare into BKK for December and the rates were double what I paid last month... Seems the powers that be 'think' there will be a high season, so they gouge the consumer, once again...

**mobs00** · 27-10-2009, 10:46 PM

^ Exactly. I paid 1400 to go from CNX to BKK and another 1400 to go to Udon in September with airasia. The prices have since doubled.

**Spin** · 27-10-2009, 10:47 PM

Originally Posted by jandajoy

What's their best price for a top floor suite, balcony

Don't do it mate. You'll be missed

**Thetyim** · 27-10-2009, 10:56 PM

Imperial Mae Ping is going for 1400 baht at the moment

The Imperial Mae Ping Hotel Chiang Mai

**Stinky** · 28-10-2009, 01:01 AM

Originally Posted by shunpike

I have no way of proving it, but I don't think the political situation has a lot to do with the depressed numbers. I really don't think folks spend a lot of time researching the political situation of the exotic country they plan to visit. It has something to do with the low numbers no doubt, but I think it's more the depressed economy worldwide. You give a guy a great deal for a two week holiday in LOS, so great that he figures he can well afford it, I say he takes the trip, fukced up politics be damned.

Maybe mate but I think the chaos of the airport protests and closure are still
fresh in peoples minds and people will look more closely at the political situatiuon
this year, I'll say that it wont put off a single monger but the ordinary Joes with a
job to get back to or a family to look after they will not come in their droves as before.

**Bazzy** · 28-10-2009, 03:04 AM

Originally Posted by jandajoy

What's the best price for a 5 star long weekend in CM right now?

Back in July I stayed in the Imperial Mae Ping for BHT 1300 including breakfast.

I thought it was a great deal for the quality of the room. I think they lost their 5 star rating recently but I couldn't tell why.

A local friend got the deal through one of the local travel agencies.

**Thetyim** · 28-10-2009, 12:45 PM

Looks like Chiang Mai is desperate
This morning The Imperial has dropped price to 1000baht for this week and 1200baht for next week.

The CH Hotel now has rooms for 700 baht (2 night minimum)

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