Travel agencies and airlines expect gloomy business in the Thailand market this holiday season following the political unrest in the country, despite operations resuming at Bangkok International Airport.

Orient-Thai Airlines said they have received bookings only for Bangkok-bound flights departing on or after Dec 20.

Another airline, Hong Kong Express, will postpone flights to Bangkok until Dec 24.

The number of its weekly flights to Bangkok will also be reduced from seven to four after services resume.

The airline said packaged-tour passengers are their main target, but bookings received had dropped.

Hong Kong Travel Industry Council Executive Director Joseph Tung said tourists are still scared of going to Thailand.

He expects the number of packaged tours to the country during the Christmas season to drop by 50 percent, even though the country's tourism authority is stepping up promotions by making concession offers.

"The travel agencies are still not sure about when flight services will resume. Many agencies have stopped promoting tours to Thailand," he said.

Hong Thai Travel Deputy General Manager Daniel Chan Kin-pang also expected a 50 percent drop in the number of tourists to Thailand over Christmas.

"Tourists will not go to Thailand even if we offer cheap fares. Price is not the main concern. We need to wait for a stable political condition in the country," he said.

Chan expected more tourists will opt for other destinations, such as Taiwan, Vietnam, Japan and mainland cities.

"Travel agencies need to strengthen promotions of tours to other destinations, which have not been fully signed up for, to attract those who originally wanted to go to Thailand," he said.

(HK Edition 12/05/2008 page1)