Hotel sectors face divergent trends in French Polynesia and Thailand

The international hotel sectors in French Polynesia and Thailand are experiencing contrasting economic challenges.

In French Polynesia, August 2026 data shows a mixed performance. While the occupancy rate rose by 2.1 points to 79.0%, total sales volume decreased by 1.5%. This decline is attributed to temporary closures for renovations and a drop in visitors from France (-9%), Europe (-3%), and the Americas (-3%). However, growth in East and South Asian markets provided a positive offset. Despite lower sales volume, profitability indicators improved, with revenue per available room (RevPar) increasing by 10.0%.

In contrast, Thailand's hotel industry is facing a significant crisis. According to KResearch, business closures for hotels and accommodations rose by 42% in the first nine months of 2026 compared to the previous year. Approximately 51% of operators reported losses in 2025, with small-scale businesses being particularly vulnerable. While the total market size is expected to grow, the industry is struggling with oversupply, intense competition from short-term rentals like Airbnb, and a slower-than-expected recovery of international tourists, which is projected to remain at roughly 79% of 2019 levels.