An influx of international visitors coupled with strong domestic travel numbers towards the end of last year could mean that 2019 is the year of hospitality in Thailand.

The Tourism Authority of Thailand predicts 40.3 million foreigners will visit the country this year while locals will make 177 million trips.

The forecast isn't all positive however, with Thai Hotels Association President Supawan Tanomkieatipume telling The Bangkok Post that pricing remains a significant challenge for the country's hotel sector, with the average daily rate in nearby Singapore, Kuala Lumpur and Yangon at two or three times the rates of Bangkok hotels. 

"We have seen more and more investment in Thailand because hotels need high volumes of guests and Thailand can serve that," Mrs Supawan said. 

A series of international hotel chains are set to add rooms in Thailand throughout the next few years, including the InterContinental Hotels Group, who in partnership with Ratanakorn Asset, has announced the signing of eight new properties in Thailand's key resort destinations of Pattaya, Rayong, Phuket, Khao Lak and Koh Samui. 

Japanese hotel chain Nikko Hotels International has also declared it will open a hotel in Bangkok in early 2019, while AccorHotels is set expand its portfolio with a plan to operate 20 hotels by 2020 through multiple brands.

Despite this, Mrs Tanomkieatipume said it was difficult to tell whether the new developments would translate into more visitors.

"Making predictions or forming a clear picture is difficult for the hotel business for 2019," she told the Post

Tourism results in the final quarter of 2018 will tell us more." 

Source: Bangkok Post

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