Pattaya tourism operators are optimistic an event-packed December and the return of corporate clients will help stimulate demand as a number of local tourists delayed bookings while waiting for the government's subsidy scheme.
The new phase of the "We Travel Together" hotel subsidy was postponed until the cabinet meeting on Dec 20 from last week, and it remains unclear whether this stimulus will be approved.
Anoma Wongyai, director of the Tourism Authority of Thailand's Pattaya office, said the domestic market dipped slightly as tourists are waiting for a government decision on the subsidy before acting, while most families want to wait for school breaks.
The agency and companies in the city plan to spur demand by promoting big events that could draw many participants, including Pattaya Countdown 2023 during the New Year weekend, as well as sports events such as the Water Jet World Cup 2022 between Dec 14-18 and a popular half-marathon race called Bangsaen21 on Dec 18.
She said Chon Buri province this year should welcome 13-14 million visitors, still lagging behind the record 18.6 million in 2019.
Average occupancy in November gradually picked up to 69%, mainly driven by international markets, including Russian tourists coming via direct flights to U-tapao airport, as well as increasing domestic flights connecting with airports in Samui and Phuket via Bangkok Airways and Chiang Mai via Thai Lion Air.
There were also more corporate meetings and conferences in Pattaya, such as the International Conference on Family Planning 2022, gathering more than 3,000 participants at the Royal Cliff Pattaya Exhibition and Convention Hall.
Ms Anoma said the Mice (meetings, incentives, conventions and exhibitions) segment contributed 30% of overall arrivals this year. The largest group was a series of corporate meetings and incentives from India, mostly young professionals.
However, not all of the 82,000 hotel rooms in Pattaya could resume operation as many lacked funds to reopen or struggled to recruit workers.
"Pattaya is facing a labour shortage, similar to many tourism destinations. A number of hotels remain closed as Chinese travellers still cannot visit Thailand," she said.
Ms Anoma said the foreign market should improve next year as there are increasing inquiries from overseas business partners. This month Pattaya hosts familiarisation trips for tour agents from three cities in China -- Beijing, Kunming and Guangzhou -- as well as agents from Tokyo, Taiwan and the Philippines, who will explore tourism products and draw up tour packages for next year.
