European tourists' interest has shifted from southern Thailand to eastern attractions less affected by the Middle East war, according to the Tourism Authority of Thailand.
The TAT director for the East said on Monday that European tour groups and tour agencies were showing a lot more interest in the eastern region, especially Koh Chang and Koh Kut islands in Trat province which they see as new destinations.
According to the TAT, the war has so far had less impact on the East than the South. Many visitors now planned long stays in Pattaya, until the Songkran festival in April, despite the continuing conflict.
The Trat Tourism and Hotel Association said tourism businesses in the South said the number of European visitors had fallen significantly.
Instead, they were turning to eastern Thai destinations such as Pattaya and Trat.
However, TAT said that if the conflict is prolonged and fuel prices soar, Europeans might choose to holiday within their own region.
