The monthly seat capacity on flights connecting the Middle East and Thailand has experienced a decline of 33.7% compared to levels recorded before the Gulf war, prompting the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) to consider diversifying its tourist markets to ensure resilience. In May, there were 199,595 seats available from 14 airlines, down from 300,902 prior to the conflict.
Emirates has decreased its seating availability from Dubai to Bangkok by 20%, although it has maintained its capacity to Phuket. Similarly, Qatar Airways has slashed its capacity on the Doha–Bangkok and Doha–Phuket routes by 50% and 33%, respectively, while Etihad has reduced its Abu Dhabi–Phuket capacity by 30% but has kept Bangkok flights unchanged.
Chiravadee Khunsub, who serves as the deputy governor for Europe, Africa, the Middle East, and the Americas at TAT, noted that there are concerns regarding the potential for an escalation in the US–Iran conflict in the near future. This uncertainty has led to many tourists in the region adopting a cautious approach, typically delaying bookings until a week or two before their departure dates.
Despite these challenges, she highlighted a significant pent-up demand, referencing 1.21 million tourism-related searches in May as evidence that travelers are actively exploring options while postponing final travel decisions. The Tourism Ministry reported that in the first four months, Thailand saw 103,053 arrivals from the Middle East, which represents a 32% drop year-on-year.
Chiravadee pointed out that the ongoing capacity to Phuket by certain airlines suggests that there is still strong demand for long-stay tourists and the luxury market in Thailand. She added that Thailand remains competitive against five primary rivals—Malaysia, the Maldives, Bali, Turkey, and Europe—especially regarding beach and island resorts, flight connectivity, family-friendly amenities, and wellness offerings, achieving a score of 5 out of 5. However, it faces challenges with halal food availability, which scored a 3.
The TAT is aiming to revitalize this market from June to August, coinciding with the two-month school holiday period. The agency’s Dubai office is currently developing campaigns in collaboration with airlines and online travel agents to boost bookings from this region. Additionally, it plans to shift focus towards high-potential markets like Saudi Arabia, where tourists are anticipated to spend an average of 110,000 baht per trip.
Efforts will also include familiarization trips targeting rapidly growing markets in Africa, such as South Africa, Morocco, and Mauritius, which recorded tourism growth rates of 6.6%, 66%, and 34.8%, respectively, in 2025. Uraiwan Thaipakdee, vice-president of the Association of Thai Travel Agents, mentioned that Middle Eastern tourists continue to make travel plans for the upcoming school holidays in July and August. There is a notable demand for long-stay accommodations suitable for families, particularly three- to four-bedroom serviced apartments in Bangkok, as many families prefer to stay for extended periods of up to four weeks.
She further noted that some tourists are seeking more affordable hotel options to counterbalance high airfare costs, with an increased concern regarding cancellation policies due to the uncertainty surrounding potential unforeseen events, especially after the mass flight cancellations observed during the early stages of the conflict.
Source: Bangkok Post
