Amazing Thailand for the Thais: Is Domestic Tourism a solution?

[webfact]

Amazing Thailand for the Thais: Is Domestic Tourism a solution?

 Juergen T Steinmetz

 

 

The impacts from COVID-19 have been felt worldwide with travel restrictions, lockdowns, and cancellations of major events. Pre-COVID-19, tourist destinations were predicted to hit 1.6 billion international arrivals globally in 2020, and tourism is a major contributor to the economy, providing 10% to global GDP.

 

Amber Barnes, a Travel and Tourism Analyst “It is critical for destinations, in particular tourism-reliant destinations, to create strategic actions to be able to recover from COVID-19. These must be implemented now otherwise it will be too late.”

 

Strategic actions that destinations can take’, reveals that there are destinations already taking action and running marketing campaigns to begin the recovery process. Thai tourism authorities and companies have shown a heavy presence in promoting during the pandemic.

 

Full story: https://www.eturbonews.com/572002/amazing-thailand-for-the-thais-is-domestic-tourism-a-solution/

 

-- eTN 2020 05-11

[johng]

"Amazing Value" ?

the usual way is to increase prices to make up for lost customers.

Edited May 11, 2020 by johng

[keith101]

For domestic tourism to work you have to lift the ban on inter provincial travel unless of course you expect everyone to be a tourist in there own province LOL . TIT .

[Zikomat]

The best strategic action for the tourist business owner in Thailand at the moment is to close up the shop asap. The worst - to keep feeding their own illusions of everything will be back to normal soon.

[new2here]

10 minutes ago, keith101 said:

For domestic tourism to work you have to lift the ban on inter provincial travel unless of course you expect everyone to be a tourist in there own province LOL . TIT .

I agree.  I think any country who has tourism as a substantial part of their GDP figure would be wise to always have a domestic tourism program - not just international.

 

but until there are more reliable public transportation options (flights, bus, train and van) and inter-provincial movement by private vehicle that are unrestricted, there really wont be any meaningful national domestic tourism - as transportation is always, always, always a key driver to any successful tourism campaign.

[Relocated]

Keep the Chinese out or let them carry their own air to breathe. 

[taninthai]

I asked my Thai business partner this week.....can we get any Thai groups into our place/resort to bring some money in during low season.....her simple answer.....no Thai people don’t have any money now only money for food not travel.

[hotandsticky]

2 minutes ago, Retarded said:

Keep the Chinese out or let them carry their own air to breathe. 

 

 

 

I would suggest that Europeans post a greater risk. 

 

 

The last batch of of 6,000 tourists from Wuhan didn't do much damage to Thailand.

[4MyEgo]

I did 4 trips domestically with the family here in Thailand last year, Hua Hin, Chiang Mai, Phuket, Pattaya, and one international trip.

 

We are ready to roll as soon as they lift the restrictions, have money will travel, this money will work it's way into the economy, and I am sure there will be a few sales going on to kick start hotels opening again, if not I am not fused as it's cheap enough when comparing hotels back in the home country, but will always look at what others are offering.

 

The above said, when and if we do go, will be taking our own towels and pillows and will be telling the hotels that we do not want any daily room service to clean our rooms until we have checked out, just to be on the safe side, call me paranoid, I am ????

 

Edited May 11, 2020 by 4MyEgo

[OnTheGround]

Is Domestic Tourism a solution?

 

It's the only tourism available, in very limited numbers, maybe 2-3 months from now. 

Thais need to get back to work first, before one even speculate about future domestic tourism.

All depends on when people can get back to work, and no second wave.

[4MyEgo]

2 minutes ago, OnTheGround said:

Is Domestic Tourism a solution?

 

It's the only tourism available, in very limited numbers, maybe 2-3 months from now. 

Thais need to get back to work first, before one even speculate about future domestic tourism.

All depends on when people can get back to work, and no second wave.

What about us farangs who don't work and enjoy travelling, best to get both happening asap as they both contribute to the economy.

[NCC1701A]

i have traveled 36,000 kilometers on my motorcycle all over Thailand.

 

for the first few days I had to keep checking my GPS because I though I was riding in circles because everywhere I went looked exactly the same. 

 

[ChipButty]

17 minutes ago, NCC1701A said:

i have traveled 36,000 kilometers on my motorcycle all over Thailand.

 

for the first few days I had to keep checking my GPS because I though I was riding in circles because everywhere I went looked exactly the same. 

 

When you've seen one temple you;ve seen the all

[taninthai]

21 minutes ago, NCC1701A said:

i have traveled 36,000 kilometers on my motorcycle all over Thailand.

 

for the first few days I had to keep checking my GPS because I though I was riding in circles because everywhere I went looked exactly the same. 

 

Lol ...big c ,Tesco lotus ,macro and PTt petrol stations with 7/11 and amazon coffee.

[Blumpie]

How does tourism work when you have no money?  

I mean this isn't rocket science.  These guys are literally lost.  

 

[BobbyL]

Well, I cannot see Thais jumping at the chance to holiday especially with the economy, risk of contracting COVID and any families with children in Thais schools will be prioritising that in July.

 

Our summer holiday to America in July looks very doubtful, therefore I guess we will probably holiday in Thailand. I have no interest in flying at the moment so somewhere in driving distance from Bangkok would be my priority. Unless there are decent offers on I won't be desperate to book a hotel in somewhere like Hua Hin or Koh Chang. A quick look on Agoda didn't really show any drastically lower prices than normal. 

[kotsak]

In the past we always saw topics about "luring" foreigners to the country. Doesn't lure work with locals or is it maybe that they can't beat them in their own game?

 

[BestB]

Domestic tourism will not make up for 30 million international arrivals. Domestic tourism is over the weekend when people have a day off, what happens the other 5-6 days.

 

Places are Pattaya, Phuket, Krabi, etc were not build on domestic tourism and will not survive on domestic tourism

[baansgr]

Supposedly tourism only accounts for 10% of GDP, so it's not really a deal breaker for the economy.....or is that figure really substantially higher.

[brain150]

People who lose their jobs [and income] have a lot of time to travel.

They also have no money to travel. And their credit cards will be maxed out pretty soon, too !!!

 

The usual problem:

Much money no time or no money much time ... the depression did not even start yet !!!

Still many people are dreaming.

 

The virtual tourism industry will be booming !!!

[cardinalblue]

Thais can put their holidays on credit card...

 

what’s a little more debt...live for the moment....

[natway09]

Not sure if it is a "solution" as there is just so much tourist infrastructure but it is all that they have for a while anyway.

Driven over 1,2 million KM all over Thailand in my 3decades of living here  & yes there are some amazing things to see in particular if happy with 1 & 2 star accommodation.

I cringe when I hear that they are going to open up International flights again  

[dean2926]

How does domestic tourism bring money into the Thai economy?

Hundreds of thousands of Thais all over thailand lining up in the streets every day to receive food and water.  Does anyone think they have money for travel or domestic holidays?

[GinBoy2]

I think everywhere, not just in Thailand there is delusion about how fast tourism and travel in general is going to recover. 

 

My wife's grandma (98 years old so pretty good innings) just died. The extended family had a group zoom chat, and of course the inevitable 'how to pay for the funeral' came up.

 

With the exception of my wife here in the US, who's working from home, and her cousin in Sweden all of them had lost their jobs, or were at best partially working, and no one had received their ฿5000.

 

So the idea that as soon as travel restrictions are lifted folks are going to start traveling and partying is crazy. For most people as we emerge from this I would suspect the majority will be just focused on rebuilding their finances, not hopping on a plane or driving off for a weekend away.

[bkk6060]

21 minutes ago, dean2926 said:

How does domestic tourism bring money into the Thai economy?

Hundreds of thousands of Thais all over thailand lining up in the streets every day to receive food and water.  Does anyone think they have money for travel or domestic holidays?

Most of the people lined up for food are not travelers.

In fact, I bet many work in the tourist service industry.

Believe it or not there are a number of Thais especially in Bangkok who are fairly well off.

Normally 1000's of Bangkok Thais come to Pattaya for the weekend. Eating, drinking, different activities, etc.

Then add the foreigners who live here who travel to different provinces for tourism or other reasons.

Nothing close to international tourists, but the tourists I mentioned do have some impact on the Thai economy.  At least it would be a start and bring back some jobs.

 

 

[DrTuner]

A decade or so without the mass tourism might return some of the aspects of what Thailand used to be. Maybe then Thais would start to enjoy their own country again.

 

But it'll likely be locusts descending again as soon as they can open the border for the Chinese.

[GAZZPA]

2 hours ago, baansgr said:

Supposedly tourism only accounts for 10% of GDP, so it's not really a deal breaker for the economy.....or is that figure really substantially higher.

Firstly tourism is probably closer to 20% of the Thai economy, secondly why on earth you think 10% loss of the economy is no deal breaker is beyond me. When discussing a countries economics 10% loss is an absolute disaster, once in a lifetime crash. Make no mistake this is the biggest global economic crash in our lifetimes, it makes the financial crisis look like a picnic. Tourism has collapsed all over the world and it will not recover anytime soon. Realistically the tourism trade will not recover for a long long time. All countries will need to be free from the virus, it either burns out or an effective vaccine is found. Thailand, along with many other countries will need to look at alternative ways to make a living if they want to eat this year.

[Baerboxer]

6 hours ago, NCC1701A said:

i have traveled 36,000 kilometers on my motorcycle all over Thailand.

 

for the first few days I had to keep checking my GPS because I though I was riding in circles because everywhere I went looked exactly the same. 

 

 

Maybe you need to check the processor behind the eyes ????

[CrunchWrapSupreme]

7 hours ago, johng said:

increase prices to make up for lost customers

Mmm, I missed my beloved California Burrito ???? from Taco Bell in Siam Paragon. I'm sure they've felt the pinch from being closed for so long. They did not increase its 179 baht combo meal price. They did however, decrease its size. ???? I should've got two of them.

Edited May 11, 2020 by CrunchWrapSupreme
typo

[Toany]

Don't forget to fill in your TM30 when you get back home.  It is still the law.