Cm Has The Season Been Up Or Down

[jayinoz]

TAT states 90% up on last year... occupancy in 5 stars nearly 200% UP... so someone is wrong.

Being here last year during protests it was amazing to hardly see any tourists around Thapea Gate even... Dec-Jan and Feb was absolutely packed out with farangs around this main area. Expats are appartently down due to strong baht...yet tourist definately UP. March looked mediocre as normal yet Song Kran should be packed out once again- no doubt.

Tourist do seem to make up a much smaller overall percentage of the population now for sure compared to 10 years ago. Yet compared to last year as it was near Central fire bomb, etc there is no competition0 this year wins. As TAT reports

[gotlost]

Starting next week China Airlines is down to two flights a week from CNX to TPE and after songkran they will be doing just one flight a week.

[mic6ard]

I really think that CM has to really improve it's image to tourists, WITH help from the GOVERNMENT!. It's been voted one of the 'must visit' places on earth ahead of bangkok of the south and yet the government isn't promoting it at all. I see more asian tours than european these days and those are generally on the low-medium budget range. They don't bring in the money to support the economy duringt he low times, less THB/head.

Some are quoting stats that hotels occupancy are up! Sure for the 3 stars, but if you want to look at the number for the up scale places then it is not as promising at all. Chiang Mai is being turn into a low cost destination, which is not what it should be.

How is the city suppose to grow and improve if all it get are these type of groups?

[el jefe]

I really think that CM has to really improve it's image to tourists, WITH help from the GOVERNMENT!. It's been voted one of the 'must visit' places on earth ahead of bangkok of the south and yet the government isn't promoting it at all. I see more asian tours than european these days and those are generally on the low-medium budget range. They don't bring in the money to support the economy duringt he low times, less THB/head.

Some are quoting stats that hotels occupancy are up! Sure for the 3 stars, but if you want to look at the number for the up scale places then it is not as promising at all. Chiang Mai is being turn into a low cost destination, which is not what it should be.

How is the city suppose to grow and improve if all it get are these type of groups?

Many of the sponsors and readers here own businesses that are geared towards backpackers. I think they're pretty happy when the 3-star hotels are doing well.

Two posts above yours it's reported that 5-star hotel occupancy was up 200%. I'll let the two of you settle who is right. I'm not in the tourist business so personally I'd prefer tourism numbers like last year. We don't need any more of Taksin's "mega-projects".

[ThaiPauly]

I really think that CM has to really improve it's image to tourists, WITH help from the GOVERNMENT!. It's been voted one of the 'must visit' places on earth ahead of bangkok of the south and yet the government isn't promoting it at all. I see more asian tours than european these days and those are generally on the low-medium budget range. They don't bring in the money to support the economy duringt he low times, less THB/head.

Some are quoting stats that hotels occupancy are up! Sure for the 3 stars, but if you want to look at the number for the up scale places then it is not as promising at all. Chiang Mai is being turn into a low cost destination, which is not what it should be.

How is the city suppose to grow and improve if all it get are these type of groups?

Many of the sponsors and readers here own businesses that are geared towards backpackers. I think they're pretty happy when the 3-star hotels are doing well.

We don't need any more of Taksin's "mega-projects".

That's unlikely since he has not had been in power for nearly 5 years.

But there is no denying that when he was in power a lot of good stuff happened in Chiang Mai because it is his home town.

All the new ring roads were instigated by him, as was the Night Safari...although that was a pretty ill conceived idea, should have bulit a theme park instead

[Gonzo the Face]

Anyone else think that the just concluded Songkran holiday was quieter than usual?

I do not think that the past high season was very good, but even though I think Songkran was quieter, it was a welcome little blip in tourism. At least the death total was down, {they say)

My next hope is that the post election time doesn't prove to be further unrest in and for tourist activity. When income does not keep pace with rapidly rising prices, people do in fact get a little edgy and apt to be a little more vocal as well as physical, as is witnessed in many countries today.

Lets all hope for something good to happen in CM for the next holiday season.

G

[orang37]

... snip ... should have bulit a theme park instead ... snip ...

Sawasdee Khrup, Khun Thai Pauly,

We agree with you, of course, that Khun Thaksin is "long out of the game" of funneling infrastructure projects to CM.

But, we think about the Rajapruek mega-installation, re-named “The Royal Park Rajapruek” by His Majesty on January 23rd., 2010. Rajapreuk Web Site

We always thought, before that abominable Mondrian-blase-style box of a hi-so hotel, Le Meridien, was erected in the one major space left in the heart of the Night Bazaar, that if only that land could become a cultural center where traditional Lanna craftspeople, (or, for that matter, artisans from all over the country) could be presented at work in beautiful surroundings, it might "redeem" the rush towards fake-everything helter-skelter of the Night Bazaar.

Similarly, we hoped Rajapreuk might metamorphose into something similar. With, perhaps, some migration from Ban Tawaii ? In Rajapreuk's opening days, we really enjoyed our visits there.

But, we are ignorant of how Rajapreuk is used now, and whether it's still a tourist "draw." Or, for all we know, perhaps it's widely used by Thai groups for meetings, seminars, etc.

best, ~o:37;

Edited April 19, 2011 by orang37

[cheshiregent]

the problem is if you wanted to go to asia 20 or 30 years ago and wanted to be welcomed safe and someplace cheap then thailand was one of the few places you could choice from

but as other country's in asia have become more tourist friendly and operate regular flights and dont have such a strong currency

thailand is loosing out and as much as they might pretend thais really dont care well not the ones that call the shoots anyway

thailands gdp is growing and the tourist income part of it is only 8 percent

they are the 3rd largest car producer in the world

the 3 rd biggest producer of halal meat in the world

plus rice fruit and cloths none of these things get drunk course problems fall of motor bikes or piss in the moat thats why tourism is not pushed as much as maybe it was in the past

as they dont really want it if they can replace it with big car factory's and so on then they will

the coup swine flu and other factors have just helped to keep the tourist out and pushed them to other shores

and as a tourist destination i dont really think chiang mai has that much to offer anyway its a semi modern city in a semi modern country

nice place to live but as a tourist finding things to do every day for two weeks i dont think its has more than 3 or 4 days of interest

then people move on

[Priceless]

the problem is if you wanted to go to asia 20 or 30 years ago and wanted to be welcomed safe and someplace cheap then thailand was one of the few places you could choice from

but as other country's in asia have become more tourist friendly and operate regular flights and dont have such a strong currency

thailand is loosing out and as much as they might pretend thais really dont care well not the ones that call the shoots anyway

thailands gdp is growing and the tourist income part of it is only 8 percent

they are the 3rd largest car producer in the world

the 3 rd biggest producer of halal meat in the world

plus rice fruit and cloths none of these things get drunk course problems fall of motor bikes or piss in the moat thats why tourism is not pushed as much as maybe it was in the past

as they dont really want it if they can replace it with big car factory's and so on then they will

the coup swine flu and other factors have just helped to keep the tourist out and pushed them to other shores

and as a tourist destination i dont really think chiang mai has that much to offer anyway its a semi modern city in a semi modern country

nice place to live but as a tourist finding things to do every day for two weeks i dont think its has more than 3 or 4 days of interest

then people move on

Until very recently tourism accounted for ~6% of GDP, so if it is now 8% that is a remarkable growth ( http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Economy_of_Thailand )

Also according to Wikipedia ( http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_countries_by_motor_vehicle_production ) Thailand is not the third largest producer of motor vehicles but rather the 12th, behind minor countries like China, Japan, USA, Germany, South Korea and several others.

Maybe you should check your "facts" before posting them.

/ Priceless

[Ulysses G.]

If the economy and the currency is stronger, how is Thailand "missing out"?

[folium]

Putting aside the state of the overall economy in Thailand, which is pretty impressive, tourism is not enjoying the same bounce being enjoyed by other Asian destinations.

Tourism in Asia is booming, see clip from the BBC

My link

But Thailand seems to be missing out. Hence LOS been seen as a place for bargains (got to fill those hotels). Why would that be?

For the tourist Thailand today lacks a unique selling point that cannot be found better elsewhere in SE Asia (let alone the rest of Asia).

Culture: Ayutthaya/Sukothai/Phimai up against Borobodur, Angkor Wat, Pagan, Bali, Luang Prabang

Landscape: Phang Nga Bay/hills N & W of Chiang Mai up against Halong Bay, Chocolate Hills, Mulu caves.

Rainforest: scrap in khao Sok NP up against declining but still considerable areas Borneo & Sumatra

Wildlife: elephants in camps up against komodo dragons, elephants, orangs etc in the wild

trekking: northern LOS up against northern Burma, Sapa area

Volcanoes: none up against Bromo, Pinatubo, Merapi, Krakatau, Kelimutu etc

Diving/snorkelling: bleached Andaman, Koh Tao up against Komodo, Sipadan, Bunaken, Lembongan

City Shopping: Bangkok, CM up against Singapore, KL

Adventure tourism: ziplining and rafting around CM up against white water rafting Sabah, surfing Sumatra

I could go on and yes there are still some beaches that are amazing and not yet destroyed, but given the chance......No country has the monopoly on great options but tourists can and do pick and choose in the buffet style world of contemporary tourism and LOS struggles to put forward many tempting dishes (talking of food I've had great Thai food throughout SE Asia).

Trashed areas such as Phuket, Koh Samui, Pattaya abound, and of course Thailand leads the world in sex tourism catering for all tastes, supplying all genders and ages, with children a speciality, by the hour, day or week.

Catering to low value Russian and Chinese package tours enjoying the delights of Phuket, Koh Samui, Phi Phi and Pattaya is a poor substitute for upscale, high value, high spending tourists who find better alternatives in the booming tourist trade that seems to be happening everywhere but LOS.

In a nutshell, Thailand great place to live, nothing special for tourists.

[Gonzo the Face]

Well just to get an update from some others again......

Is it me or do others sense it also..... this has not been a very long or prosperous high season.

Overall I have found that there were a lot less calls for bookings of rooms; less email requests for info; less walk-ins by trekkers/backpackers, and a general slow down of all aspects of the tourist business. Now not comparing with the past period prior to 2008, but rather the period since.

Periodically I hop on my trike and take a look around and the season [if there was one] seems to have had far fewer expats strolling the streets than even over the past several years.....

Any one else care to make a comment???

gonzo

[mesquite]

I'm not a business owner, but I have noticed a marked INCREASE in the number of tourists over the years. It used to be that Chiang Mai was a nice relaxed semi ghost town during low season. Now, there is no low season, except for possibly the high pollution season. The Thapae gate area is packed with farangs who appear to be tourists almost all year round. Maybe they only spend money in McDonald's and Starbucks, but they're here.

[rakchaingmai]

I have been really busy this high season this year more then last year so for me things are good and we got songkrahn coming up so that should be good if i don't decide to close .

[uptheos]

Like mesquite said; they are here but seem to be in certain areas. However, Sri Lanka and Vietnam had an exceptional increase in tourism, so people are finding out that other places are equal if not better for a holiday, especially with the current exchange rates which will probably get worse. Also, the floods went on for so long, that people just decided to go elsewhere and I can't blame them. I was in Burma not too long ago and there were loads of tourists, who are now finding their way to beautiful beach areas, albeit the infrastructure still isn't good. With Aung San Suu Kyi (personally) and her party openly encouraging people to "please come to Burma" I wouldn't be surprised to see a massive boost in tourism in the near future, which might hurt Thailand except for the sex tourists. And even if the tourists, including the sex tourists, do get bored in Burma (doubtful), they can always take an Air Bagan flight to charming Chiang Mai and Loi Kroh Road.......cough, cough.

Edited March 29, 2012 by uptheos

[WinnieTheKhwai]

There aren't any less flights into Chiang Mai (more actually), but I think the demographic is shifting. The Meridien and Shangri La were almost fully booked for a while this season.

[uptheos]

There aren't any less flights into Chiang Mai (more actually), but I think the demographic is shifting. The Meridien and Shangri La were almost fully booked for a while this season.

The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) forecasts Chinese tourists will be the top foreign arrivals in Thailand by 2014 at an estimated 1.5 million, up from 864,977 last year.

“We want to increase the number of independent travellers, as more Chinese tourists are changing their behaviour to travel on their own and willing to spend more,” said Sansern Ngaorungsi, the deputy governor for Asia and the South Pacific.

More Chinese tourists are demanding higher-quality services and genuine relaxation. These premium visitors tend to stay in 4 or 5 star hotels and spend more money than regular Chinese tourists; 5,200 baht a day on average, 30% higher than their general Chinese counterparts.

Source: Bangkok Post

Maybe immigration could print some landing cards in Chinese to help themselves!

Edited March 29, 2012 by uptheos

[folium]

There aren't any less flights into Chiang Mai (more actually), but I think the demographic is shifting. The Meridien and Shangri La were almost fully booked for a while this season.

The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) forecasts Chinese tourists will be the top foreign arrivals in Thailand by 2014 at an estimated 1.5 million, up from 864,977 last year.

“We want to increase the number of independent travellers, as more Chinese tourists are changing their behaviour to travel on their own and willing to spend more,” said Sansern Ngaorungsi, the deputy governor for Asia and the South Pacific.

More Chinese tourists are demanding higher-quality services and genuine relaxation. These premium visitors tend to stay in 4 or 5 star hotels and spend more money than regular Chinese tourists; 5,200 baht a day on average, 30% higher than their general Chinese counterparts.

Source: Bangkok Post

Maybe immigration could print some landing cards in Chinese to help themselves!

ish...what with a China Eastern CRJ 4 times a week to Kunming and AA starting flights to Macau, there are some direct flights but scope for a heck of a lot more.

[eyecatcher]

This is only my first"high" season so i dont have anything to compare against, but i have to say it did seem to end (if it has done) a little sooner than i expected. maybe as previously suggested this smog weather has created a 4 week blip and we still have another month left.

I heeded advice previosuly not to invest in the city tourist areas relying on westerners coming.

The recession suggested many feared for their jobs and holidays are usually the first luxuries to be curtailed.

I opted for a different market, in the Nimmen area, well to do Thais with money, tourists mainly Japs, chinese, korean (the big spenders) and of course a good concentration of retired expats.

the floods in Bkk in oct/nov brought me 80% of my customers for several weeks in what i thought was still low season, so business wise, it s fair to say that those floods really boosted the economy in Chiang Mai.

similarly the Royal Flora tourists who came to the city were another welcome bonus.

But of course those tourists will not be here next year, so i am just hoping that we made sufficient impression to get those customers to return should they decide to visit chiang mai again.

i think while the economies in the West are still suffering, the city centre toursit areas will suffer likewise and yes the demography is shifting to the more more affluent parts of the city where backpacker type tourists dont go.

for me I am more than happy with my location in Nimmen.

[elektrified]

There aren't any less flights into Chiang Mai (more actually), but I think the demographic is shifting. The Meridien and Shangri La were almost fully booked for a while this season.

I agree. There are a lot of tourists but you may not notice them as much because the demographic is shifting. There is an increase in Chinese tourists that's for sure. They tend to stay in top end hotels and do other activities rather than hanging out in the old city. So even though there may be a drop in "traditional" tourists (hey Thailand is just too darn expensive now for the average tourist), there is actually an increase in not only Chinese, but Japanese and Korean tourists as well.

I happened to be at Chiang Mai Land for a few hours about 2 weeks ago. During the time I was there I witnessed no less than 12 fully loaded buses with tourists arrive. The tourists were all Japanese, Korean, Chinese, and Middle Eastern. They were escorted into various businesses on Chiang Mai Land for organized shopping. I was curious so I went in to the "Bee Shop" to look. There they have Japanese, Chinese, and Korean 'agents' as well as Thais fluent in Japanese, Chinese and Korean putting on high pressure sales pitches and a presentation about how good the bee products are for your health. After the slide and oral presentation the tourists run downstairs and buy, buy, buy. I'm talking like 30 people spending 2-4K THB per person on pollen, honey, etc., etc. in 30 minutes time! Then they are escorted back on the bus, the place is quickly cleaned up and the next bus of 30+ people is escorted into the shop. The same cycle is repeated; this time Koreans while the one before Japanese, etc. What the bee products have to do with Chiang Mai or Thailand specifically I don't know but for anyone running a business in C.M. or thinking of starting one, I highly recommend taking a look at this business model. They are doing something right!

I might add that I see more Thai tourists this year than ever before; even though Royal Flora has ended.

Edited March 29, 2012 by elektrified

[uptheos]

I'm going to raise sharks.

[lannarebirth]

There aren't any less flights into Chiang Mai (more actually), but I think the demographic is shifting. The Meridien and Shangri La were almost fully booked for a while this season.

I agree. There are a lot of tourists but you may not notice them as much because the demographic is shifting. There is an increase in Chinese tourists that's for sure. They tend to stay in top end hotels and do other activities rather than hanging out in the old city. So even though there may be a drop in "traditional" tourists (hey Thailand is just too darn expensive now for the average tourist), there is actually an increase in not only Chinese, but Japanese and Korean tourists as well.

I happened to be at Chiang Mai Land for a few hours about 2 weeks ago. During the time I was there I witnessed no less than 12 fully loaded buses with tourists arrive. The tourists were all Japanese, Korean, Chinese, and Middle Eastern. They were escorted into various businesses on Chiang Mai Land for organized shopping. I was curious so I went in to the "Bee Shop" to look. There they have Japanese, Chinese, and Korean 'agents' as well as Thais fluent in Japanese, Chinese and Korean putting on high pressure sales pitches and a presentation about how good the bee products are for your health. After the slide and oral presentation the tourists run downstairs and buy, buy, buy. I'm talking like 30 people spending 2-4K THB per person on pollen, honey, etc., etc. in 30 minutes time! Then they are escorted back on the bus, the place is quickly cleaned up and the next bus of 30+ people is escorted into the shop. The same cycle is repeated; this time Koreans while the one before Japanese, etc. What the bee products have to do with Chiang Mai or Thailand specifically I don't know but for anyone running a business in C.M. or thinking of starting one, I highly recommend taking a look at this business model. They are doing something right!

I might add that I see more Thai tourists this year than ever before; even though Royal Flora has ended.

That is the Chinese model of tourism and I just hate it. Oftentimes ther4e will be 3-4 attendents for every would be buyer. The shops where the tours stop tend to be owned by the tour operator or pay kickbacks to them for stopping their bus there. I just hate it.

[folium]

There aren't any less flights into Chiang Mai (more actually), but I think the demographic is shifting. The Meridien and Shangri La were almost fully booked for a while this season.

I agree. There are a lot of tourists but you may not notice them as much because the demographic is shifting. There is an increase in Chinese tourists that's for sure. They tend to stay in top end hotels and do other activities rather than hanging out in the old city. So even though there may be a drop in "traditional" tourists (hey Thailand is just too darn expensive now for the average tourist), there is actually an increase in not only Chinese, but Japanese and Korean tourists as well.

I happened to be at Chiang Mai Land for a few hours about 2 weeks ago. During the time I was there I witnessed no less than 12 fully loaded buses with tourists arrive. The tourists were all Japanese, Korean, Chinese, and Middle Eastern. They were escorted into various businesses on Chiang Mai Land for organized shopping. I was curious so I went in to the "Bee Shop" to look. There they have Japanese, Chinese, and Korean 'agents' as well as Thais fluent in Japanese, Chinese and Korean putting on high pressure sales pitches and a presentation about how good the bee products are for your health. After the slide and oral presentation the tourists run downstairs and buy, buy, buy. I'm talking like 30 people spending 2-4K THB per person on pollen, honey, etc., etc. in 30 minutes time! Then they are escorted back on the bus, the place is quickly cleaned up and the next bus of 30+ people is escorted into the shop. The same cycle is repeated; this time Koreans while the one before Japanese, etc. What the bee products have to do with Chiang Mai or Thailand specifically I don't know but for anyone running a business in C.M. or thinking of starting one, I highly recommend taking a look at this business model. They are doing something right!

I might add that I see more Thai tourists this year than ever before; even though Royal Flora has ended.

That is the Chinese model of tourism and I just hate it. Oftentimes ther4e will be 3-4 attendents for every would be buyer. The shops where the tours stop tend to be owned by the tour operator or pay kickbacks to them for stopping their bus there. I just hate it.

Maybe you do, but in true Watergate era terms, you got to "follow the money".

[Beetlejuice]

I'm glad [or not so glad as the case may be] to see that many other of the longer stay people seem to agree that the season has been slower with fewer tourists than usual..

The hospitality business to which I am closest, indicates a 25 to 30 % shortfall from last year... that comes to me both as in revenue and in numbers of guest/customers.... This is calendar year 2007 vs 2006 year to date.

I would guesstimate that a very small fraction of this is due to the new immig regs....... My opinion is that it is a accummulation of things.

Some small amount due to the change in governments........ a larger portion due to the perceived danger of coming to Northeren Thailand and trying to breathe..... some small portion to the South Thailand Problems......and a very large part to the media coverage that today can and is flashed around the world almost instantly.....

Most of the seasoned travelers have enough common sense to check things out locally before venturing off, and of course all the travelers from last year , would not be coming back to Thailand again this year anyhow...... I think it is the new, first timers to

Thailand who are summing up all the difficulties and just plain deciding that "maybe Thailand, with all the difficulties I have read about, best be put off til another year, and besides my money will go further in........ wherever...

But this too shall Pass.......

Gonzo

Over the years there have been clampdowns on the hospitality businesses and the adult entertainment establishments in Chiang Mai.

Lets face some facts, Chiang Mai has become boring. Once seen the elephants, the temples and a couple of waterfalls, what else is left? And I won’t even bother going into details regarding the <deleted> pit Loi Krok road, Chiang Mai`s answer to the nightlife or Hamburg or Amsterdam, what a dump.

I have said this many times in the past, that the numbers of tourists will continue to dwindle year by year unless Chiang Mai is given some vibrant new lease of life.

And adding to all the crap, the recent pollution and burning problem was absolutely diabolical. Enough to make even the most enthusiastic of the regular tourists turn away and go elsewhere.

But please don`t take my word for it, only need to ask the people that run businesses in Chiang Mai for their opinions. It`s only going to get worse, trust me on this one.

[eyecatcher]

what a depressing read, yet again negativity from a farang!

tourists dont come to Chiang Mai to go to Loi Kroh, neither do they change their plans due to smog. i would guess most long haul tourists will not be aware of the small detail of smog in february when booking their trip.,

Thailand has a great draw, and far greater than the adjoining countries; it always will.

It is still great value for salaried tourists, only relatively expensive for us expats.

we just need a little patience with the world economies and then we will have our day., in the meantime stop dissing this city and this country and think yourself dam_n lucky you are able to live here.

[CPT]

I noticed more tour buses full of Asian touists the last few months but I might have simply not noticed them the last couple years. I was rather surprised that I spotted so many given the air quality issues but that may be less of a detterent if one is arriving from a more polluted locale. I have enjoyed living in Chiang Mai and do believe it is a worthwhile stop for those already traveling in the region but not worth a trip in and of itself.

[AndersSN]

I'm glad [or not so glad as the case may be] to see that many other of the longer stay people seem to agree that the season has been slower with fewer tourists than usual..

The hospitality business to which I am closest, indicates a 25 to 30 % shortfall from last year... that comes to me both as in revenue and in numbers of guest/customers.... This is calendar year 2007 vs 2006 year to date.

I would guesstimate that a very small fraction of this is due to the new immig regs....... My opinion is that it is a accummulation of things.

Some small amount due to the change in governments........ a larger portion due to the perceived danger of coming to Northeren Thailand and trying to breathe..... some small portion to the South Thailand Problems......and a very large part to the media coverage that today can and is flashed around the world almost instantly.....

Most of the seasoned travelers have enough common sense to check things out locally before venturing off, and of course all the travelers from last year , would not be coming back to Thailand again this year anyhow...... I think it is the new, first timers to

Thailand who are summing up all the difficulties and just plain deciding that "maybe Thailand, with all the difficulties I have read about, best be put off til another year, and besides my money will go further in........ wherever...

But this too shall Pass.......

Gonzo

Over the years there have been clampdowns on the hospitality businesses and the adult entertainment establishments in Chiang Mai.

Lets face some facts, Chiang Mai has become boring. Once seen the elephants, the temples and a couple of waterfalls, what else is left? And I won’t even bother going into details regarding the <deleted> pit Loi Krok road, Chiang Mai`s answer to the nightlife or Hamburg or Amsterdam, what a dump.

I have said this many times in the past, that the numbers of tourists will continue to dwindle year by year unless Chiang Mai is given some vibrant new lease of life.

And adding to all the crap, the recent pollution and burning problem was absolutely diabolical. Enough to make even the most enthusiastic of the regular tourists turn away and go elsewhere.

But please don`t take my word for it, only need to ask the people that run businesses in Chiang Mai for their opinions. It`s only going to get worse, trust me on this one.

I'm a business owner and has been for 4 high seasons now.

This one was the best so far and I'm not even running it myself anymore.

So I'm sorry, but I don recognize the picture u paint at all.

[Beetlejuice]

I'm glad [or not so glad as the case may be] to see that many other of the longer stay people seem to agree that the season has been slower with fewer tourists than usual..

The hospitality business to which I am closest, indicates a 25 to 30 % shortfall from last year... that comes to me both as in revenue and in numbers of guest/customers.... This is calendar year 2007 vs 2006 year to date.

I would guesstimate that a very small fraction of this is due to the new immig regs....... My opinion is that it is a accummulation of things.

Some small amount due to the change in governments........ a larger portion due to the perceived danger of coming to Northeren Thailand and trying to breathe..... some small portion to the South Thailand Problems......and a very large part to the media coverage that today can and is flashed around the world almost instantly.....

Most of the seasoned travelers have enough common sense to check things out locally before venturing off, and of course all the travelers from last year , would not be coming back to Thailand again this year anyhow...... I think it is the new, first timers to

Thailand who are summing up all the difficulties and just plain deciding that "maybe Thailand, with all the difficulties I have read about, best be put off til another year, and besides my money will go further in........ wherever...

But this too shall Pass.......

Gonzo

Over the years there have been clampdowns on the hospitality businesses and the adult entertainment establishments in Chiang Mai.

Lets face some facts, Chiang Mai has become boring. Once seen the elephants, the temples and a couple of waterfalls, what else is left? And I won’t even bother going into details regarding the <deleted> pit Loi Krok road, Chiang Mai`s answer to the nightlife or Hamburg or Amsterdam, what a dump.

I have said this many times in the past, that the numbers of tourists will continue to dwindle year by year unless Chiang Mai is given some vibrant new lease of life.

And adding to all the crap, the recent pollution and burning problem was absolutely diabolical. Enough to make even the most enthusiastic of the regular tourists turn away and go elsewhere.

But please don`t take my word for it, only need to ask the people that run businesses in Chiang Mai for their opinions. It`s only going to get worse, trust me on this one.

I'm a business owner and has been for 4 high seasons now.

This one was the best so far and I'm not even running it myself anymore.

So I'm sorry, but I don recognize the picture u paint at all.

Well, that’s great news

So everything is Hunky-dory and the tourists are flooding in, spending money like there is no tomorrow.

What you are saying is; that everything is on the up and up.

Are you confident enough to let us know what sort of business you’re in, your part in it and how this pertains to the tourist industry? For credibility of statement reasons.

I am Mr Cynical, so convince me.

[chiangmaiexpat]

I have a Thai friend who runs a small scale tour operator business. She says it was the worst season in her entire career. That is curious, because the arrival numbers of foreign toursists have jumped up by almost 20% in 2011 alone. 2010 was a similarly good year if we take the TAT numbers.

The only logical conclusion is that visitors are going elsewhere. Perhaps the rose of the north is fading. Chiang Mai is slowly becoming a big city with big city problems. And then there is the haze problem.

Perhaps its also the case that people are going to other smaller places in Thailand where they did not go before, because there was no touristic infrastructure and there is now. At least that would be my guess.

Cheers, CMExpat

[Ulysses G.]

The floods right before high season scared off a lot of tourists as the news coverage was horrific and made it sound like the whole country was a disaster zone and would be for quite a while. The timing was very bad as that is when the tourists who spend money usually come, but many of them made other plans.

On top of the negative news coverage, the local internet forums were full of expats moaning about not being able to get diet Coke and Singha beer and other important necessities of life. No wonder many of the midddle-class travelers skipped Thailand this year.

Edited March 30, 2012 by Ulysses G.