“The bombs in Bangkok are not a turning point for tourism in Thailand. If it had happened 10-15 years ago, it would had been very seriously. Now people accept, that one cannot rule out there is a risk of taking on holiday. I consider it unlikely that there will be significant amounts of cancellations after the bombings.

One pragmatic reason for this is that the Foreign Ministry’s not have revised risk assessment for Thailand to a level where travel insurance is valid. Another reason is that it takes more nowadays,” says Anders Sørensen, Tourism researcher, anthropologist and operating knowledge bureau Tourism Lab, Denmark. He was in Bangkok, when the bombs blasts.

Two bombings in the heart of Bangkok, with 22 dead and over 120 injured, has been front-page news around the world. An attack that Thailand’s junta chief, Prayuth Chan-ocha, described as “the worst attack ever”.

Thailand is the second largest overseas destination in Denmark, Sweden and Norway, second only to the US. Thailand is highest in Finland and the Baltics. From Denmark last year, about 160,000 Danes traveled to Thailand.

Thailand meets all the dreams and myths we expect from a tropical land of coconut palms, white beaches, beautiful scenery, fruit etc.

Thailand has almost been strengthened by crisis in the country. Political unrest, demonstrations, military coups, murder, religious unrest in Southern Thailand, and now last two bombings.

Still, tourists flow to Bangkok and Thailand. Why?
“This is the first time with an attack directly against tourists. Previously tourist have been in peace. Recovery time after an attack is now much faster. Unless a series of new attack comes, it will be forgotten in six months”, says Anders Sørensen.

“Thailand will not be as affected by the bombs, due to several things. Thailand is well established and well known. It is the first choice when traveling outside Europe. Thailand meets all the dreams and myths we expect from a tropical land of coconut palms, white beaches, beautiful scenery, fruit etc.

Thailand has a large product range, beaches, heat, sun, nature, sex, food and hotels. It is not very expensive, with good infrastructure and good connections from all over Scandinavia”, says Anders Sørensen.

Fear

“People will not let fear control their travel patterns. I would not say that travelers have become immune to threats. However, people have got used to it.

It needs more than a few isolated cases to budge tourism to Thailand. Thailand has many tourists who often go to Thailand, and they will continue to visit Thailand.” So says Martin Tranberg Jensen, Research Assistant, PhD Fellow, TRU – Tourism Research Unit, University of Aalborg to Travel Trade Outbound Scandinavia. Martin Tranberg Jensen has studied tourism, and is behind numerous publications and opinions in media about tourism.

“Thailand has such a strong brand awareness, particularly among the older generation. The travelers know Thailand so well, that it has become a home away from home. People feel comfortable.

Thailand has a history and a recognition that is so large, that it provides a tourist strength to resist challenges. Although the bomb attack took place in the middle of Bangkok, it is not where most tourists are. They are out on the beaches and nature,”says Martin Tranberg Jensen.

“Another important thing is that the Foreign Ministry in its travel advice does not discourage people to go on holiday in Thailand.

“All destinations going through some popularity phases. The curve goes up and down depending on events, trends and availability. But Thailand has over the last 10-15 years, built a reputation as a very popular destination”, says Martin Tranberg Jensen.

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