The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) has revealed that the recent earthquake in Chiang Rai is causing safety concerns among tourists as several hotels have been faced with room cancellations.

As the epicenter of the 6.3-magnitude quake was located in Chiang Rai, the TAT Northern Office has admitted that the disaster is taking a toll on tourism businesses in the northernmost province. About ten local hotels have reported more than 40 room cancellations so far following the incident. Chiang Rung Hotel in Phan district has also announced temporary closure for renovation in order to ensure customers’ safety after sustaining structural damage from the quake.

However, tourism activities reportedly go on as usual in other quake-hit provinces, such as Chiang Mai, Lamphun, Lampang, Phrae, Nan and Uttaradit. No effects have been seen on major tourist attractions in those provinces while roads remain passable despite some damages.

Meanwhile, the TAT Chiang Rai Office noted that some of the room cancellations were made by tour groups. The office said the hotel occupancy rate in the province stood at 40 percent during the first three months of this year and declined to 20-25 percent in April when the low season began. In the wake of the recent earthquake, it is feared that the disaster would pull the occupancy rate down further in May.