Travel agents here say they expect mass cancellations of bookings for travel to Thailand during the coming Eid Al-Adha holidays because of the raging political unrest there. The two-week Eid Al-Adha holidays start on Dec. 6 in Saudi Arabia. “Definitely, there will be mass cancellations not only by people here but also others in Dubai, Qatar, Kuwait and Oman where Thailand is the number one tourist destination,” said Zawfir Ziard, CEO of Unique Choice, a leading holiday accommodations specialist having offices in Dubai, Qatar, Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Malaysia and Australia. He said bookings for Malaysia have already increased in Saudi Arabia as a result of the unrest in Bangkok. While Malaysia has long been the number one tourist destination for Saudis, Thailand has remained the top choice for people in Dubai, Qatar, Kuwait and Oman, he said. “The feedback we are getting is that many tourists from the Gulf countries will not opt for Thailand, this Eid holidays.” Saudis wanting to visit Thailand are required to get prior permission from the Ministry of Interior. “This could be one of the important reasons for the fewer number of Saudis visiting that country,” one travel agent said, requesting anonymity. He said that other Gulf nationals prefer going to Thailand because “the 5-star hotel rates there can be compared with 5-star hotels in other parts of the world.” Muhammad Quaiser, Sales and Marketing manager at Naba Tour and Tourism said that although Thailand has never been the priority for Saudis, those who have booked would now opt out. At Muayad Tour and Travels, a reservation clerk said holiday reservations for Thailand cannot be described as “heavy” as other destinations like Malaysia, Cairo and Singapore. And since there is no direct flight to Thailand from Saudi Arabia, the effect on cancellations will not be that noticeable, he said.
