The closure of Thailand’s iconic Maya Bay cost the economy up to THB35 million in July.
Head of the Nopparat Thara – Moo Koh Phi Phi national park, Waraphot Lormlim said the shortfall has been damaging to local business but will be worth it in the long term.
The beauty spot, immortalised in the Hollywood movie, ‘The Beach’ is closed for four months during the monsoon season to give it a breather from the daily hordes of day-tripping tourists.
Large amounts of trash and damaged reefs led to widespread calls to restrict boat trips or close it altogether for a temporary period.
Nopporat also said the recent Phoenix boat sinking near Phuket which claimed 47 lives also contributed to the shortfall in tourism revenue.
