PATA Forecasts 10% Visitor Decline

Leading industry organization Pacific Area Travel Association (PATA) is forecasting a 10% decline in visitors for the year 2009. Aside from the existing factors such as reduced long haul airlift, a continued global recession and rising unemployment additional concerns on the H1N1 virus has caused a further downgrade for the prospects of recovery this year.
Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) has downgraded its projection for tourism down to 13.2 million though most industry insiders are benchmarking the years figure close to 12 million. While the recent events in Jakarta may see a redirect of some traffic into Thailand as Australia has already issues some travel advisories the Bali market summer season is well underway and it's doubtful to see a larger scale impact for the moment.