Back to business – time for Thailand’s tourist industry to get ready

[webfact]

Back to business – time for Thailand’s tourist industry to get ready

By Bill Barnett

 

 

OPINION by Bill Barnett from c9hotelworks.com

 

Tourism is a vital part of Thailand’s economy. And as the country emerges into the post-Covid world, getting tourists back to the country will be an essential springboard to the rest of the Thai economy. None of that will be automatic or easy as international travel has been severely disrupted and will take months, probably years, to recover. But once they arrive here, either as domestic, regional or international travellers, the decisions about where they stay will now shaped by new criteria.

 

As part of our series looking at “Thailand’s Countdown to Re-opening”, Bill Barnett looks at Thailand’s hotel industry as it prepares for the new ‘normal’.

 

The single most critical issue facing Thailand’s hotel operators and owners is the restarting of the country’s economic engine, which includes tourism. From the ground today, the stark truth is it is high time hoteliers shift their current doomsday mindset. They must stop falling into the bottomless trap of desperation and emotional despair that create the aura of an industry as a helpless victim. Exit Sandman enter Marvel.

 

First off, hotels need to change the narrative. The pathway to reopening Thailand’s Covid-19 stunted economic model is becoming clear, as the national curve of virus cases is statistically moving towards flatter terrain. Science matters. But the clear and present danger is that the government must take control of the levers of the economic recovery or else the damage to the country’s tourism workforce will be even harsher and create tragic consequences.

 

Thailand’s travel and tourism industry directly contributes an estimated 12-14% of GDP, while the expanded and informal contribution is likely at 20% or slightly above. More important to the percentage is that tourism is the face of the country that is now the second largest economy in Southeast Asia. The Thai smile is a global icon and symbol of the national character.

 

But as we move into unknown post-virus mode, the hotel industry has forgotten how to smile and lost its true essence, self-esteem and it it’s vital importance as a gateway to Brand Thailand.

 

In the coming days and weeks, hotels focus must be taking a look forward and not caught up in the past. The pathway of tourism recovery will no doubt start at the domestic level and next radiate into intra-regional travel. Hotels and operators have to learn and adjust to a new regime of health and safety concerns at all levels of the experience – guests, staff, premises and supplies. There are no short-cuts here and the preparation of these processes has to be done today, as it’s an arduous task.

 

But equally important to the planning is the reality that travel preferences in the near future will be based on a new criteria. It’s conceivable that potential guests who used to be influenced by TripAdvisor, will now make a travel decision based on perceptions and concerns over personal safety, standards and hygiene.

 

Currently the Tourism Authority of Thailand is reportedly working on a set of new standards with the Ministry of Public Health, under the Safety and Health Administration. Regionally the Singapore Tourism Board has undertaken a health audit program for hotels and tourism establishment. The program will audit 570 hotels and venues in the next sixty days.

 

For Thailand’s tourism economy to restart it has to understand it must win visitors back. They won’t just magically return. There are no lack of choices in Asia and reality is a price driven recovery trajectory is likely given the intrinsic damage to businesses across all markets.

 

For those who say ‘we are headed into unknown territory’, a new villain named ‘fear factor’ has emerged. We have in reality entered a new business cycle and can learn a bit from history. Take 9/11 and the emergence of a fear of flying afterwards. Security, safety and standards were implemented to both avoid repeat incidents, and to instil traveller confidence. Yes, lines formed and travel took longer but what we have learned is the importance of travel as a part of our business and leisure lifestyle. It helps define who we are. In a nutshell, be it 9/11 or Covid-19, this too will pass.

 

For the hotel and travel sector the immediate task is to start planning for re-opening and rigorously addressing the new market challenges. Stop dwelling on what’s happened and move on. Tourism and hotels are a field of dreams and the reality is we did build it and they will come back.

The most important mantra today has to be that hotels and travel must return as superheroes. They must understand the importance of this face and smile to their country, the jobs and livelihoods the industry provides, and makes steps toward getting back to work as soon as it’s safe. Look to the remainder of 2020 and beyond not with fear but with fight and determination. Thailand, it’s time we get back on the road and back to business.

 

Source: https://thethaiger.com/hot-news/tourism/back-to-business-time-for-thailands-tourist-industry-to-get-ready

 

 

-- © Copyright The Thaiger 2020-04-20

 

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[scubascuba3]

It may be a non starter if travel insurance companies still exclude Corona. Most tourists will probably wait for a vaccine, plus many finding a job is a priority

[baansgr]

If they think anyone will want to holiday if they have to wear a mask on the beach and sit at different tables when they are out dining...better think again. Until there's a cure..nobody is travelling nowhere..that's worldwide, not just Thailand

[Odysseus123]

3 minutes ago, scubascuba3 said:

It may be a non starter if travel insurance companies still exclude Corona. Most tourists will probably wait for a vaccine, plus many finding a job is a priority

Yes-I doubt very much whether there are millions out there just raring to go..

 

As you say..the retaining or regaining of income and savings will come first as well as a very prudent desire to protect oneself and one's family.

 

Sure there will be some mavericks but not all that many and I doubt that China will be shipping them in by the plane loads from Wuhan either.

 

I think that most countries will advise their populations to be conservative in their decision making.

[Grumpy John]

There isn't much the tourist industry can do....despite Bill being optimistic the reality is for the next year or longer all the gold in China couldn't convince people to come.  Same for Japan, South Korea, the Philippines.  The hotel owners will need deep pockets to stay in business if the government doesn't have a good bail out package.

[Monomial]

This is all meaningless as long as they leave the borders so difficult to cross that nobody can come.

 

Tourism can only restart once they relax the restrictions enough that people can come and go with relative ease. And not only for Thailand. Tourists need their own countries to allow them to come and go.

 

How long until that happens? Only then can tourism resume. My guess is 12 months at a bare minimum. It isn't back to business until the borders are open and international travel is common again.

 

 

 

[mr mr]

that photo of an empty beach with beautiful water is something i am really looking forward to while living here in the coming months to years. 

 

 

[SCOTT FITZGERSLD]

49 minutes ago, webfact said:

Thailand, it’s time we get back on the road and back to business.

WELL it is quite simple.

all that has to be done is to lift the health papers requirement, to waive

the 14 days quarantine, and of course do not forget to open the airport.

once all those three are done you will be surprised to see how many tourists

will come back and how fast, as most people understand that this

corona panick is a total non sense.

but until this will happan, forget about tourists, no one in his sane 

mind will fly 14 hours and stay 14 days in forced quarantine just to have 

a three weeks foot massage holiday.

[luckyluke]

4 minutes ago, mr mr said:

that photo of an empty beach with beautiful water is something i am really looking forward to while living here in the coming months to years. 

 

 

Pretty sure there are a lot like yourself. 

The problem is however, once you, and the others, found it, it won't look like that anymore. 

[watso63]

Meanwhile in the real world with devastated economies and a severe depression brewing I don't think a holiday in Thailand will be at the forefront of people's priorities.

[Grumpy John]

13 minutes ago, luckyluke said:

Pretty sure there are a lot like yourself. 

The problem is however, once you, and the others, found it, it won't look like that anymore. 

Every kayakers dream!  Paddle up to an isle where there awaits a sexy young hotty waiting with coconut oil so you and her can lubricate your bodies before sitting down to a great lunch....and some champers chilling to wash down the microwaved 7/11 sandwiches from the 7/11 off camera.

[lkv]

33 minutes ago, Monomial said:

My guess is 12 months at a bare minimum.

Airlines are guessing June 1st.

 

 

Edited April 19, 2020 by lkv

[EVENKEEL]

5 minutes ago, Grumpy John said:

Every kayakers dream!  Paddle up to an isle where there awaits a sexy young hotty waiting with coconut oil so you and her can lubricate your bodies before sitting down to a great lunch....and some champers chilling to wash down the microwaved 7/11 sandwiches from the 7/11 off camera.

The toasties are usually the breakfast with chicken, som tam and sticky rice for lunch.

[tonray]

Once they buy the $100,000 US Corona insurance policy and spring for the $300 Doctor Certificate in their own country...not much left for holiday

[AlexRich]

Return as superheroes? Mmm ... if I show up at the hotel and the manager’s wearing red underpants over his trousers I’d probably cancel the booking.

 

Tourism will take a considerable amount of time to pick up. Social distancing on flights will mean significantly higher fares. The economic impact has yet to show its face, but when it does it will be ugly and depressing, and few will be willing to spend money on travel anytime soon.

 

I think the world economy is in for a much tougher time than most people think.

[cornishcarlos]

1 hour ago, webfact said:

The single most critical issue facing Thailand’s hotel operators and owners is the restarting of the country’s economic engine, which includes tourism

 

There is the problem.. Whilst most other countries try to just drop down to 2nd, maybe 1st gear and keep the economy ticking over, Thailand turned off the engine and went for a nap in the hammock.... The engine might be seized ?? 

[AlexRich]

1 minute ago, tonray said:

Once they buy the $100,000 US Corona insurance policy and spring for the $300 Doctor Certificate in their own country...not much left for holiday

Quite so. Thailand has been shooting itself in the foot on tourism, and the economic chicks are coming home to roost.

[stephenterry]

4 minutes ago, lkv said:

Airlines are guessing June 1st.

I would suggest the airlines hope that business travellers, if freed of lockdown and closures, would resume their flights. As for holidaymakers, maybe first class travellers, but not the cattle class.  All in all, a bad year for many businesses worldwide.

[bkk6060]

There are millions of testosterone driven males around the world who will still want to come here for sex.  Laying on a beach or walking a mall is not that important.

Once the entertainment venues, massage, etc. fully reopen these tourists will return.  The others will take longer.

[SCOTT FITZGERSLD]

14 minutes ago, cornishcarlos said:

Thailand turned off the engine and went for a nap in the hammock.... The engine might be seized ?? 

IT reminds me of a military parade i once saw in thailand.

there were lines of army vehicles moving slowly along the avenue.

in them were two people - one the driver, and the second besides him

was the passenger , sleeping or taking a nap.

[cornishcarlos]

16 minutes ago, bkk6060 said:

There are millions of testosterone driven males around the world who will still want to come here for sex.

 

No, there's 29 of them and they are still in Pattaya, waiting for it to open again....

[ChipButty]

I was speaking to someone at Booking.com the other day they seem to think it will be around November before you see the tourist and first will be the Asian markets maybe because it's closer, The dont see any activity from the European markets until next year.

We already have some bookings from our Russian friends for this Christmas 

[Monomial]

46 minutes ago, lkv said:

Airlines are guessing June 1st.

 

 

 

For a few limited flights from select countries. That is hardly business as usual in order to support a tourism industry.

 

Do you honestly believe Thailand is going to have procedures in place that a normal person, just wanting to visit, could possibly meet by that point?  I don't. That is only 5 weeks away, and as of now they are only allowing a few hundred Thai citizens per day through a land border and only with a 2 week quarantine.

 

No, I don't think the airlines believe this will be over by June 1st. They are simply praying they can get a subsistence income by then.

[Chassa]

1 hour ago, mr mr said:

that photo of an empty beach with beautiful water is something i am really looking forward to while living here in the coming months to years. 

 

 

'Call some place paradise - kiss it goodbye' - The Eagles.

[FarFlungFalang]

The reason Thailand has low virus numbers is hidden in this blurb advertorial.

[Oziex1]

Ahh, the ever optimistic Thai tourism machine.

[rupert the bear]

a certain reality is returning to gov after the mass panic.people will need to travel they do now,business and work,we need to meet up ,relationships families have been seperated,kids without fathers wifes apart from husbands.some people may holiday as so many people are working....online.the moneys there.so regionally its a go and soon,the virus doesnt prosper in sunlight it dies thats what has saved thailand.most importantly the economy must start to drive again and tourism in thailand is massive.so get at it,test people on exit and entry.allow regional travel except china of course.japan singapore s korea hk taiwan philippines malaysia all this is easy enough.business repatriation family and loved ones re uniting and tourism to some degree but all these others need t eat and sleep somewhere.

Edited April 20, 2020 by rupert the bear

[cardinalblue]

Tourism will be last economic sector to return....

 

next story....

[kiwikeith]

32 minutes ago, Monomial said:

 

For a few limited flights from select countries. That is hardly business as usual in order to support a tourism industry.

 

Do you honestly believe Thailand is going to have procedures in place that a normal person, just wanting to visit, could possibly meet by that point?  I don't. That is only 5 weeks away, and as of now they are only allowing a few hundred Thai citizens per day through a land border and only with a 2 week quarantine.

 

No, I don't think the airlines believe this will be over by June 1st. They are simply praying they can get a subsistence income by then.

Maybe the Wuhan express train line will open and deliver a new wave of c19. All that money spent and Los can't flush toilet paper down their dunnies

[DPKANKAN]

2 hours ago, scubascuba3 said:

It may be a non starter if travel insurance companies still exclude Corona. Most tourists will probably wait for a vaccine, plus many finding a job is a priority

It is not even just that. Even if Thailand is open to tourism, other Countries have to let their people travel and return first. 

Global problem!????????????????