The COVID-19 pandemic and the related restrictions on travel, business activity, and individual movement are having an unprecedented impact on our industry and economy. Hotel owners, operators, lenders, and investors are all facing greater challenges than ever anticipated, as they grapple with plummeting occupancy, average rate (ADR), and RevPAR and seek solutions to mitigate the impact on EBITDA.

The strengthening of the Thai Baht and the ongoing US-China trade war have resulted in a decline in average rate growth and softer demand level in 2019. Furthermore, the extensive hotel supply growth in Bangkok has been the dominant topic for discussion. While a multitude of factors will impact the market performance in 2020, including the recent Coronavirus outbreak, it is evident that the 4,000 new hotel rooms scheduled set to open this year will put Bangkok’s hotel market under pressure.

With the Coronavirus scare gaining momentum, this article revisits the 2003 SARS pandemic, seeking insight into the potential impact on individual markets and travel as a whole.