Pattaya gained the highest occupancy averages, January through to the end of April’s Songkran festival, of all the regions monitored by Thai Hotels Association, according to eastern chapter president, Bundarik Kusolvitya.
The occupancy rate in Pattaya hit 85%, which was higher than Phuket, while the room rate improved by 5% over the same period last year.
“We can adjust rates slightly as we are benefiting from promotions, last year, that were introduced to counter the impact of political chaos,” said Ms Bundarik.
But Ms Bundarik admits the rates are still too low and need to be worked on by all member hotels.
“The average rate for a two-star property is around Bt1,000, and Bt2,000 for a three-star property and just a little over Bt3,000 for four to five-star properties, ” she said.
However, the positive trend in the first four months should continue into May, the THA president estimated.
“Russia is our main market and the season should extend well into May as Russia suffered a long harsh winter, which encourages people to book holidays in places like Pattaya,” she said.
Russia represents 40% to 45% of the international tourist market, followed by Korea, India and the domestic market, which supplies 15 to 20% of the resort’s year-round business.
“India and Korea are special markets as they supply tourists to Pattaya year round, especially India, which is a less sensitive market.
Source: TTR Weekly
