Kongkrit Hiranyakit, president at the government-run Tourism Council of Thailand, told AFP the siege and closure of Suvarnabhumi Airport was causing 'great damage' to Thailand during its high season. -- PHOTO: REUTERS
BANGKOK - THAILAND is losing about US$7 million (S$10.6 million) a day in tourist revenue as anti-government protests force the ongoing closure of the main international airport, an industry body said on Thursday.
Kongkrit Hiranyakit, president at the government-run Tourism Council of Thailand, told AFP the siege and closure late Tuesday of Suvarnabhumi Airport was causing 'great damage' to Thailand during its high season.
'The airport is the heart of the country's tourism,' he said, adding that between 60,000 and 70,000 tourists should be passing through the two-year-old hub every day at the moment.
Mr Kongkrit said these holiday-makers spend an average of 4,000 baht (US$113) each day they are in Thailand.
'So, in estimation, we lose 240 million to 250 million baht each day following the closure of Suvarnabhumi. This is a huge loss for the tourism industry,' he added.
'More than 20 countries already announced travel advisories or travel warnings to their citizens about Thailand. That will affect the Thai tourism industry at least for the next six months.'
The Tourism Authority of Thailand had been hoping to rake in 600 billion baht this year from 15 million foreign visitors. TAT figures show that 14.8 million tourists visited Thailand in 2007.
Industry experts, however, have said that will be nearly impossible now, as the airport closures come after months of protests, rising fuel costs and the global financial crisis.
'Even if the government gives one billion baht to boost the economy, that will not help cure the loss to the Thai economy due to the closure of the airport,' Mr Kongkrit said. -- AFP
