Economics

Cheap Beach Holidays Target Locals With Airlines Grounded

  • Thailand, Vietnam offer holiday bargains to rev up tourism
  • Southeast Asia is one of world’s most tourism-reliant regions
An empty beach in Pattaya, Thailand on June 1.Photographer: Mladen Antonov/AFP via Getty Images
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With cash flow drying up at Thailand’s popular beach resort of Phuket, hotels are racing to restart tourism -- starting with local travelers.

“If nothing changes in the next three months, we won’t be able to afford paying for staff,” said Angkana Tanetvisetkul, president of the Kata Karon Business Association, which represents more than 40 locally-owned hotels in Phuket.