EXCLUSIVE: More Chinese tourists expected due to Alibaba

[rooster59]

EXCLUSIVE: More Chinese tourists expected due to Alibaba

By JINTANA PANYAARVUDH, 
ASINA PORNWASIN 
THE NATION

 

 

EXPERTS URGE THAILAND TO PROTECT ITS TOURIST SITES, PREPARE LOCAL BUSINESSES

 

TOURISM experts and online travel platforms are welcoming the collaboration between e-commerce giant Alibaba and Thai tourism authorities to develop smart and digital tourism, although there are concerns over possible negative impacts.

 

Critics voiced concerns over a potential monopoly following a deal between Alibaba Group and Thai state agencies covering a number of areas, including tourism. Some also suggested the authorities needed measures to protect tourist attractions from an expected influx of foreign visitors.

 

Under a partnership deal on tourism, the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) will expand cooperation with Fliggy, Alibaba’s online travel business and China’s leading online travel service provider, to focus on support for smart and digital tourism in Thailand. As an official strategic partner of TAT, Fliggy will work with the agency to offer smart technological experiences at multiple facilities and tourist attractions across Thailand for the convenience of visitors – ranging from online tour guides to electronic ticketing systems.

 

“In any case, like it or not, we cannot bar Alibaba from entering Thailand. So the best approach is to ensure local tour operators are well prepared for increased competition,” said former TAT governor Pradech Phayakvichien. “They should adjust their approach and work out how they could get the most benefits out of the collaboration,” he suggested. “In the digital era, we need technology to help connect us to the world and potential customers”.

 

“But the most important thing for Thailand is that we preserve and protect our tourist attractions,” Pradech said.

 

“We have to maintain or improve the standard of our [tourist attractions] If we leave our beaches damaged, how could the Alibaba travel platform help us sell them?” he asked.

 

Prominent marine ecologist Thon Thamrongnawasawat said he expected the collaboration to bring changes in the proportion of Chinese tourists coming to Thailand. Whereas most Chinese now tour the Kingdom in groups, there is potential to also attract many more couples and individuals. That would make it easier to cope with the arrivals and better distribute income to local vendors. Thon said boosting the number of Chinese tourists or their spending here should not be the main objective for the partnership, as the figures are already high.

 

Statistics show Thai tourism relies heavily on Chinese visitors. As of April, 30 per cent of all foreign tourists arriving in Thailand this year were Chinese, according to Thon, who is a member of the National Policy Committee for Tourism. Estimates are that tourism this year will generate about Bt3 trillion in revenues – a third of which is expected to come from Chinese tourists, he said. However, there is still concern over a possible surge in Chinese tourists following the collaboration. Pradech said authorities need to put measures in place to restrict the number of tourists at attractions where there are risks of damage.

 

Thon, who sits on the committee drafting the national strategy on environmental issues, said the draft plan would limit the number of foreign visitors to national marine parks to six million a year, to help protect marine resources from swift deterioration brought by heavy tourism traffic. Out of the six million visitors, four million are expected to be from China. “We are already in a ‘tourism trap’. Around 10 million Chinese tourists visit Thailand every year and generate around Bt1 trillion. If they are dissatisfied with us, what will happen” to Thailand’s tourism industry?” asked Thon.

 

Partnering with Alibaba

 

Yuthasak Supasorn, TAT governor, said in a recent press release that the agency would partner with Alibaba for tourism marketing activities through the giant’s online platforms, as well as connect with Alibaba’s other marketing channels to develop “big data” for the Thai tourism industry.

 

The partnership would help increase the competitiveness of small and medium-sized tourism companies in terms of the development of new products and services that will attract more Chinese tourists to the country, he added. “We hope it will also help both new arrivals and return visitors from China discover emerging secondary destinations, so it is a ‘win-win’ situation for both parties,” he added.

 

Some critics voiced concern that Fliggy might monopolise the Chinese tourist market and affect local online travel agencies.

 

But others see a partnership with the giant firm in more positive terms, as an opportunity to expand the market. Amornched Jinda-apiraksa, CEO and co-founder of TakeMeTour, the largest marketplace for local tours in Thailand, said the collaboration would benefit Thai tourism in terms of getting more Chinese tourists into the country.

 

He said operating the travel business in the Chinese market is very challenging due to the language barrier and because Chinese tourists have specific behaviours and characteristics.

 

Amornched added that TakeMeTour this year planned to focus more on Chinese tourists, and that presents a good opportunity for Thai travel operators to offer their services and products directly to Chinese consumers on the Chinese platform.

 

The TAT has yet to give further details about the collaboration. Amornched said the format could be the opening of a Thai tourism shop or a flagship store on Fliggy.

 

TakeMeTour was one of six Thai start-ups and 37 Asian entrepreneurs joining the eFounders Fellowship Programme at Alibaba headquarters in Hangzhou, China, in March. Amornched said Alibaba has a strong ecosystem and his firm is willing to join the platform.

 

As a community-based online tourism platform that provides travel experiences in local communities around Southeast Asia, Somsak Boonkam, founder and chief executive of Local Alike, said his business may not be affected. That’s because the average Chinese tourist has no interest in community tours and only a small number have the taste for eco-friendly tourism.

 

Thon agreed. “You do not have to fear [about the Chinese platform snatching away customers.] The Chinese tend to buy Chinese goods, anyway,” Thon said.

 

As part of the collaboration, Fliggy and Ant Financial, Alibaba Group’s affiliate and operator of Alipay, are also in active discussions with various related government agencies to drive a digital transformation of Thai tourism.

 

Alipay, operated by Ant Financial, is China’s largest online payments and money transfer system, with more than 500 million active users. Thailand is among Alipay’s top three overseas-transaction hubs.

 

Somsak said using Alipay would help facilitate convenience to Chinese tourists with a familiar payment option when they travelled abroad. However, he urged the government to look into this matter carefully as there are concerns the system could allow massive outflows of money from the country.

 

Varithorn Sirisattayawong, research head for Kasikorn Research Centre, said Fliggy will help increase the number of Chinese tourists who choose Thailand through booking on the platform. It would benefit Thai banks and non-banks that offer international money transfers, payments and exchange, as they would receive additional transaction fees as the number of transactions increased.

 

Varithorn said the use of Alipay to arrange a visa on arrival and tourist tax refunds for Chinese tourists would not directly impact the business of Thai banks and non-banks.

 

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/detail/national/30344213

 

 

-- © Copyright The Nation 2018-04-29

[YetAnother]

5 minutes ago, rooster59 said:

More Chinese tourists expected

news i cringe at; i live on the edge of one of the most well-known tourist areas in thailand; Already we have marked off no-go areas on our normal living areas due to the chinese invaders

[Samui Bodoh]

6 minutes ago, rooster59 said:

TOURISM experts and online travel platforms are welcoming the collaboration between e-commerce giant Alibaba and Thai tourism authorities to develop smart and digital tourism, although there are concerns over possible negative impacts.

 

Critics voiced concerns over a potential monopoly following a deal between Alibaba Group and Thai state agencies covering a number of areas, including tourism.

 

I can't really blame Jack Ma and/or the Chinese; when a country like Thailand offers up the entire e-commerce industry for sale, I'd buy it too if I had the cash.

 

Thailand, when you sell the digital infrastructure of your economy, you are also selling your actual economy. It'll take a few years before the entire purchase/take over is complete, but it is almost impossible to reverse once it really begins.

 

I hope Prayut and his cronies enjoy their thirty pieces...

 

And I strongly suggest that Thai kids be given crash courses in Mandarin; they'll need to be able to talk with their overlords.

 

It is so sad to see a once fine country go down this path, but I guess the lessons of Cambodia and Burma have to be learned all over again...

 

 

 

 

[JAG]

1 hour ago, rooster59 said:

Varithorn said the use of Alipay to arrange a visa on arrival and tourist tax refunds for Chinese tourists would not directly impact the business of Thai banks and non-banks.

Well of course it won't, the money won't be going near Thai banks. 

 

This "surge" of tourists will use Alibabas's travel agency, Chinese airlines, book their hotels online, book any tours online. None of this will have any impact on the Thai local economy because the bookings and money spent will all be with various of Alibabas's operations, even down to the means of payment!

 

And they were worried about "Zero Dollar Tours"!

[Anak Nakal]

Thailand next China province.

Prayut sell on-line!

[Darcula]

2 hours ago, rooster59 said:

More Chinese tourists expected due to Alibaba

 

As long as there's submarines in the water, watches on the wrists, and wine in the cellars, just think of them as advance reconnaissance troops - then everything seems to be working as per plan.

 

 

[Expatthailover]

2 hours ago, Samui Bodoh said:

 

I can't really blame Jack Ma and/or the Chinese; when a country like Thailand offers up the entire e-commerce industry for sale, I'd buy it too if I had the cash.

 

Thailand, when you sell the digital infrastructure of your economy, you are also selling your actual economy. It'll take a few years before the entire purchase/take over is complete, but it is almost impossible to reverse once it really begins.

 

I hope Prayut and his cronies enjoy their thirty pieces...

 

And I strongly suggest that Thai kids be given crash courses in Mandarin; they'll need to be able to talk with their overlords.

 

It is so sad to see a once fine country go down this path, but I guess the lessons of Cambodia and Burma have to be learned all over again...

 

 

 

 

Alibaba is only doing in the east what amazon has been doing in the west for almost a decade. But I suppose Alibaba has the wrong 'hue' for many...not you of course. 

Fact remains that sovereign nations have been selling the family silver to multi national e commerce pirates for years and worse, most of them are not paying a fraction of the taxes they morally should be....like the rest of us are compelled to.

This shock horror at alibaba is little short of the 'too many of them and not enough of us ' argument and as usual has no legs whatsoever.

Individuals throughout the globe are nothing but sacrificial lambs.

 

Edited April 29, 2018 by Expatthailover

[ExpatOilWorker]

Jack Ma will only do what is best for himself. Remember when he spun off Alipay from Alibaba.

 

 

 

[Lupatria]

1 hour ago, Anak Nakal said:

Thailand next China province.

Prayut sell on-line!

When the brass brothers (drill-sergeant type) sell the economy. How can one expect tactical economic expertise in elitists incapable to look over the rim of their own rice bowl?

[smew]

Good move Thailand. More Chinese to vandalize Buddhist places and defecate in taxis and other public places !! 

[bbbbooboo]

hmmm....more Chinese tourists....hmmm

[Daveyh]

Only the chosen few will gain from this & they are already awash with cash. Local businesses will continue to suffer, the economy will then suffer .... then the people will continue to suffer more & more hardships. There has got to be more control of who gets the lion's share of all this ...... & it must be the people of Thailand that benefit, but knowing how greedy, selfish & the lack of concern for others in the Thai mindset here ...... the already "have's" will not allow it. Thailand will be in real jeopardy if they allow this to continue ..... com'on government put your foot down!!

[the guest]

Many of my European friends are now bypassing Thailand, as it's just become a melting pot of greed, catering for their new found Chinese friends, the Thai-ness has long gone.

 

The allure of new money, has taken the country from being a beautiful paradise, to one of pure commercialism, and in the process has clogged the whole system.

 

The costs also have increased to an unjustifiable levels, which makes Thailand very expensive in comparison to other countries in South-East Asia. 

[yellowboat]

5 hours ago, rooster59 said:

Critics voiced concerns over a potential monopoly following a deal between Alibaba Group and Thai state agencies

It could just be zero baht Thai government style.   

[falangjim]

I hate this news. The Chinese are slowly taking over our condo complex. There are certain times we will not visit our local 7-Eleven due to the hordes of Chinese tourists running around like chickens with their heads cut off. They spit, smoke, and are a nuissance.  Why have they been rolled out the red carpet to dwell here?  Are there that many rich Chinese merchants? What's wrong with staying in Hong Kong? Grrrrrrr...

[Stoker58]

Just wondering where all those Chinese speaking Thai tourist guides are going to come from.

[Srikcir]

16 minutes ago, Stoker58 said:

Just wondering where all those Chinese speaking Thai tourist guides are going to come from.

Maybe Prayut will allow Chinese to register as Thai tour guides.

In 2016 the government allowed foreign tour guides to work in Thailand as advisers to local guides in areas of shortage. In 2017 Deputy Prime Minister Gen Thanasak proposed allowing foreign tour guides to work in Thailand as a contingent measure to solve a shortfall of local tour guides, especially for Chinese tourists.

Prayut would just need the appropriate "incentive."

[Acemaker]

1 hour ago, the guest said:

Many of my European friends are now bypassing Thailand, as it's just become a melting pot of greed, catering for their new found Chinese friends, the Thai-ness has long gone.

 

The allure of new money, has taken the country from being a beautiful paradise, to one of pure commercialism, and in the process has clogged the whole system.

 

The costs also have increased to an unjustifiable levels, which makes Thailand very expensive in comparison to other countries in South-East Asia. 

Agreed.   

[Bangkokfunny]

The Thai still believe in fairytales. 

Ali Baba: "Open Sesame !!!" and the Chinese with the "Dollar$" rush into Thailand.

[LGMV]

it is a shame that these badly behaved noisy groups are swamping Thailand.  It's true they deserve to have holiday like anyone, but as someone said above, it will be at Thailand's expense

[JAG]

2 hours ago, Daveyh said:

Only the chosen few will gain from this & they are already awash with cash. Local businesses will continue to suffer, the economy will then suffer .... then the people will continue to suffer more & more hardships. There has got to be more control of who gets the lion's share of all this ...... & it must be the people of Thailand that benefit, but knowing how greedy, selfish & the lack of concern for others in the Thai mindset here ...... the already "have's" will not allow it. Thailand will be in real jeopardy if they allow this to continue ..... com'on government put your foot down!!

You forget, this a government of the "haves", by the "haves" for the "haves".

The "haves" have sold out to Mr May, so they "have" a little bit more.

[ICECOOL]

2 hours ago, car720 said:

You forget just how insidious the Chinese really are.  They have already bought all of the education systems.  Most people in the west can only see it from the side they have been shown.  When you see it from the other side it is a real eye opener.  The Australian pollies have no clue except maybe Rudd who everyone hated.

"They have already bought all of the education systems"???? What does that mean? Educating Chinese in Australia can be nothing but beneficial. Rudd spoke Mandarine so not sure what your getting at? 

[tideout]

All I can think of is trying to get out of Don Muang with a stop through the VAT line. The "line" of Chinese tourists through there makes me break out into a cold sweat. True chaos. I felt genuinely horrible for Thai workers who were trying to maintain a sense of order against all odds. God help us.

[Ketyo]

Can they build another terminal at Don Muang and the other airports please dedicated for the Chinese.... so that civilised people don't have to put up with the masses of Chinese shouting at each other across the hallways and can get to the VAT return windows, water fountains, toilets etc

 

I read that some London hotels have dining rooms specifically for Chinese tour groups where they can throw used tissues, chicken bones and the like on the floor, and shout at each other s much as they want. Tourists from other countries use the normal facilities. I urge the same in Thailand.

[overherebc]

2 hours ago, car720 said:

You forget just how insidious the Chinese really are.  They have already bought all of the education systems.  Most people in the west can only see it from the side they have been shown.  When you see it from the other side it is a real eye opener.  The Australian pollies have no clue except maybe Rudd who everyone hated.

We had a Chinese company doing some fabrication in Thailand and every time one of our inspectors rejected something the first reaction from the Chinese was to request that he should be replaced. I told them ok but it will take 6 to 8 weeks to find a qualified inspector to replace him and as it was their request then they could stop production but they would not be paid during that time but that was their decision. Result was the guy stayed for 8 weeks giving me a chance to find a replacement and find the first guy a better job. The rejection rate stayed the same and the chinese gave up on the replacement requests after two times.

[lvr181]

Generals don't have business "smarts". 

[Tchooptip]

Mass tourism is starting to be a calamity all over the world ?

[observer90210]

It the Chinese tourists are treated the same way the Thai Post and Thai customs treat the parcels (packets misplaced, overcharging customs duty, parcels stolen etc)....nothing to worry, there will be hardly any Chinese on the streets.

[mok199]

we're going to need a bigger buffet

[geisha]

Mass tourism is good for no one. Although, the difference with the number of tourist agencies in Europe versus Thailand, is that Europe has 50 years of experience, there are strict rules and regulations, and the  well known names are generally very serious companies. I would personally not take the risk in Thailand . 

The main problem here, is that every time the government and TAT come up with these new ideas, they totally forget that the infrastructures in Thailand will not hold up to these masses. Airports overflowing in 2 hour immigration queue s, lack of clean safe transport, filthy drains and horrendous smells, no water treatment for the coast towns, trash everywhere suffocating nature, hotels that’s do not even have licenses to operate, carnage on the roads , no road law, rip off taxis on Phuket and the islands , and thousands of bus and vans spouting pollution making it impossible to breathe. Of course, most Chinese group tours won’t give a hoot , that’s mass tourism at its worse.