11/08/2019 16:43

After tsunami

[IMG=18731-4344] December 26th 2005 is an anniversary of the devastating tsunami in the South-East Asia. Thai island Phuket - a very popular resort - was one of the locations hit by the giant waves. There tsunami destroyed about 30 hotels and buildings along the coast line. As for Sri Lanka it was mainly non-touristic zones in the north and north-east devastated by raging water. In the Seychelles lowlands in the region of Praslin island were flooded, it effected several hotels. Mahe Island did not have any considerate destruction. The Maldives suffered the least being protected by coral reefs. In total only a few bungalows were damaged there. The other popular resorts of the Indian Ocean - Goa, Bali, Kerala – did not have to face the natural disaster. Practically no Russians got injured. However immediately after tsunami the majority of flights from Russia to SEA islands were cancelled. According to experts, interviewed by a ‘BANKO’ correspondent, the main problems were related to financial aspect. On the one hand - operators' attempt to get a refund from hotels and partnering companies, on the other hand - compensations to agencies. A ‘BANKO’ correspondent asked the experts in the South-East Asia about how they managed to solve the financial problems during the year. As for payments from hotels and partnering companies the majority of operators agreed on netting (next clients go to the same hotels not being extra charged), while some operators agreed on money refund. By the beginning of the present season this problem had been solved by most market players. Although some of them point out that hotels have not paid yet, meaning mainly hotels sustaining great damage. This fact suggests no use to expect refund from them. Practically all market players have made payments to their agencies and tourists. Three schemes were involved. The first one suggested refund by offering services - tourists could go to the same resort with the same tour duration whatever time they wanted. With the second scheme tourists were meant to change destination. ‘Using the third scheme tour operators made no compensation which is right from the legal point of view considering the fact of force majeure’, said Tatiana Vand, director of ‘Vand International Tours’. Experts think that a year after tsunami the main problem is a lack of demand for Phuket. ‘People still are not ready to go there, which leads to under load of aircrafts’, said Dmitry Chichkanov, Thailand manager of ‘Skyway’. ‘Thailand destination is ‘recovering’ gradually. Great discount should be offered to fasten the process’, said Natalia Chuvilkina, General Direcor Deputy of ‘Natalie Tours’. As for ‘Natalie Tours’ charter flight to Phuket, information about which appeared the other day behind the scenes, a ‘BANKO’ correspondent knew that the company decided to hold over the decision. At the moment only a pool of market players have their own program. ‘CAPITAL TOUR’, ‘South Cross, ‘Lanta-tour voyage’ are among them. Last year the situation was different: two charter flights were launched by ‘Transaero’ and one flight was launched by ‘Krasair’.