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Major tourist destinations across the country enjoyed a banner New Year holiday, with total spending estimated to have reached nearly Bt40 billion, the highest in five years.

"The longer holiday period and lower oil prices boosted local tourism this year. As political tensions eased, people were encouraged to travel more, while many upcountry people returned home [upcountry]," Kongkrit Hiranyakit, president of the Tourism Council of Thailand (TCT), said yesterday.

However, most operators expect the buoyancy to be brief, as visitors have now returned home and the travelling mood has become clouded by political uncertainty and economic pessimism.

The TCT said tourism from last Wednesday to Sunday was the best in five years, thanks to the extended holiday period. It urged the government to declare more public holidays to boost domestic tourism, as first-quarter revenue is expected to fall 30 per cent year on year.

Chiang Mai Tourism Business Association vice president Vorapong Muchaotai said more than 10 four- and five-star hotels in the province saw their occupancy jump to 70 per cent for the holiday period, up sharply from 20-30 per cent before. Some hotels ran 90-per-cent full.

From last Tuesday to Sunday, visitor spending was estimated at Bt120 million to Bt150 million a day on average, or a combined Bt720 million to Bt900 million. Thai visitors accounted for 70 per cent of the total.

"The spending amount was high albeit 20-30 per cent down from last year. Although the visitor count was close to last year's level, operators of hotels, restaurants and other tourism businesses offered promotions to attract customers. As a result, they earned less than last year," he said.

Krabi Hotel Association president Patchara Phulphokphol said from last Tuesday to Saturday, about Bt120 million was spent in that province. Visitors pushed occupancy to about 80 per cent.

"That's relatively high, given the political situation, the domestic economy and the global crisis," she said.

Visutr Buachum, director of the Tourism Authority of Thailand's Mae Hong Son office, said tourism in the northern province enjoyed the best period in 10 years. About 20,000 visitors a day were welcomed from last Tuesday to Sunday, with spending estimated at Bt1 billion and up.

"More Thais are visiting local destinations, particularly those in the North," he said.

Most of the visitors reached Mae Hong Son by road, he added.

Chon Buri Chamber of Commerce vice president Surat Mathawarakul said Pattaya saw more visitors and took in revenue of Bt450 million. About 70 per cent were locals, 20 per cent Thais from elsewhere and the rest foreigners.

"There were fewer foreign tourists this year, because of economic problems," he said.

Still, as the festive period drew to a close, operators feared business sentiment would deteriorate again. Vorapong said in the past, Chiang Mai had seen an increase in visitors only during festivals.

While rooms are expected to empty out now, sustaining the industry will be a series of fairs this month and next while the weather remains cool. Yet these events will draw mostly Thais who will come only on weekends.

"Once the travelling season ends, most of them will disappear, while the number of foreign visitors will fall sharply. This is the phenomenon experienced in Phuket and Pattaya," he said.