The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) office in Trat province has dismissed claims, by some resort operators on Kut Island that media reports on the MoU 44 controversy have led to the cancellation of up to 50% of their advance bookings, as misleading.
Korakot Opas, of the TAT office, said today that he has checked the booking records, for November through January, of 20 hotels on Kut island, including six five-star, three four-star, nine three-star and two two-star hotels and discovered that their bookings actually increased by 1%.
For November, occupancy rates are 72.40%, or 35,570 customers, including 14,228 Thais and 21,342 foreigners, generating revenue estimated at about 205 million baht.
For December, the booking rate is 74.51%, with 37,420 customers, including 14,968 Thais and 22,452 foreigners.
In January, 77.52% of the rooms are booked by 39,810 customers, including 15,924 Thais and 23,885 foreigners, said Korakot.
He said, however, that cancellations at some resorts are possible, which is quite normal.
He disclosed that Interior Minister Anutin Charnvirakul will visit Trat and Kut Island on Monday, to see the situation at first hand, and hold talks with local officials and resort operators.
