Jump to content

Pattaya devastated as coronavirus hits travel


Flashermac
 Share

Recommended Posts

PATTAYA: Beaches are deserted, go-go bars stand empty and cabarets have shut their doors in the tourist haven of Pattaya, as business has ground to a standstill after worldwide travel restrictions because of the coronavirus pandemic.

For one of the world's most famed -- some might say infamous -- tourism hotspots, the economic devastation is near-total and business owners say haven't seen anything like it for four decades.

"Our organisation has halted business 100%. Pattaya is a tourist city, we rely mostly on them. The whole city is affected by the virus," Alcazar Cabaret Show executive Pawin Phettrakul told Reuters.

In normal times, the theatre -- which features high-kicking dancing girls wearing elaborate feather headdresses and sequined dresses -- sees over a thousand tourists daily, but now there are zero.

Alcazar Cabaret is not planning on laying off its staff at the moment, but the foreseeable future seems bleak.

Thailand depends on tourism for around 12% of its GDP, but in Pattaya, nearly the entire economy runs on visitors.

The resort town saw over 15 million visitors in 2018, according to the 2019 Chonburi Provincial Statistical Report, which was already a 20% drop from the previous year.

"I would say that this is the worse that has ever hit Pattaya. And, during the past two to three weeks, so much businesses has already folded, has already gone bankrupt, closed down due to the coronavirus," said Roy Fu Wanlong, a business owner in Pattaya.

The city in recent years has been trying to shed its association with sex tourism that started in the 1970s when it became a rest and relaxation spot for US servicemen during the Vietnam War.

The town has promoted family-friendly entertainment and boat tours in the city. 

 

 

https://www.bangkokpost.com/thailand/general/1888795/pattaya-devastated-as-coronavirus-hits-travel

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • 4 weeks later...
  • 2 months later...
  • 1 year later...

Create an account or sign in to comment

You need to be a member in order to leave a comment

Create an account

Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!

Register a new account

Sign in

Already have an account? Sign in here.

Sign In Now
 Share

×
×
  • Create New...