Holiday subsidies doubled after tourism scheme fails to lure travellers

By The Nation

 

 

Ministers at today’s mobile Cabinet meeting in Rayong agreed to upgrade the “Rao Tiew Duay Kan” (We Travel Together) tourism stimulus scheme after it received a disappointing response from travellers. Only 660,000 of the 5 million nights of subsidised accommodation offered by the scheme have been booked by travellers since it started operating in July.

 

In response, the Cabinet agreed to extend the period of subsidised stays for each traveller from five nights to 10 nights and the air-fare subsidy from Bt1,000 support to Bt2,000.

 

Large companies will also be invited to take advantage of the scheme by organising training seminars and events in popular destinations around Thailand.

 

Details of the changes made to the We Travel Together scheme will be officially announced later.

 

Source: https://www.nationthailand.com/news/30393503

 

-- © Copyright The Nation Thailand 2020-08-25

 

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Great idea, with this the locals will actually have money to spend on travelling that they didn't have before. Smart move.

Local tourists wised up to the hotels upping their prices ????

Look at the photo says it all!

Well obviously the lure was wrong. I think it's time for the stick instead of the carrot. Simply have the army fellas bust into houses with assault rifles at ready shouting "Go on holiday now or we'll shoot!".

13 minutes ago, Yorkshire Tea said:

Local tourists wised up to the hotels upping their prices ????

That's exactly why we didn't take up the offer last long weekend, e.g. the room rate was increased by 85%.

This long weekend the room rate has been increased by 40% so its the same price with breakfast that we usually pay after the 40% rebate from the government, so we booked it for the long weekend, maybe they wised up and said a 40% increase being paid by the government is better than 0% for the no takers on the 85% increase last time, why else would they drop their pants....lol.

Edited August 25, 20205 yr by 4MyEgo

Rental villas with pools and sea views. No subsidies and still cheaper than 5* hotels.

Up to 8 guests to a villa and no heavy prices on alcohol and food.

Last month we were more busy with domestic tourists than May 2019 with International tourists. Very low rates though.

Thais only again?

No point in including those expats.

Good commercial policy

6 minutes ago, alant said:

Thais only again?

No point in including those expats.

Good commercial policy

That's generally the case with government handouts...people don't like to see their taxes handed out to non-citizens (especially during an economic crisis). The fact there a relatively few foreigners in the country at this time it's doubtful their hotel stays would be any meaningful help to the hospitality industry. 

15 hours ago, DrTuner said:

Well obviously the lure was wrong. I think it's time for the stick instead of the carrot. Simply have the army fellas bust into houses with assault rifles at ready shouting "Go on holiday now or we'll shoot!".

you will enjoy that holiday even if we have to make you. 

18 minutes ago, Pattaya Spotter said:

That's generally the case with government handouts...people don't like to see their taxes handed out to non-citizens (especially during an economic crisis). The fact there a relatively few foreigners in the country at this time it's doubtful their hotel stays would be any meaningful help to the hospitality industry. 

agree it is generally (if not always here in Thailand) the case but there are quite a few expats here, many if not all of whom contribute tax revenue to Thailand.

I am one and I am sure there are quite a few others who would be encouraged to support the tourism incentive if it was to be extended to us.

As it is now, the government appear to not care or know about the huge effect on the local tourism businesses and employees and unfortunately the institutional xenophobia maked mr feel if they don't want me to support I won't I will oblige by not supporting it. 

12 hours ago, Tropicalevo said:

Rental villas with pools and sea views. No subsidies and still cheaper than 5* hotels.

Up to 8 guests to a villa and no heavy prices on alcohol and food.

Last month we were more busy with domestic tourists than May 2019 with International tourists. Very low rates though.

The end to lockdowns and curfews plus the two long weekends probably helped a lot for July.

Scheme, lure.

 

facepalm

 

Can't get enough bait on that hook.

 

(replaces "that dog don't hunt")

2 minutes ago, baansgr said:

The end to lockdowns and curfews plus the two long weekends probably helped a lot for July.

 

 

Anyone who has recently spent time in Hua Hin, Bang Saray, Bang Saen, Bang Chang, Chao lao etc will know that the Thais are certainly not self-isolating.

16 hours ago, snoop1130 said:

Ministers at today’s mobile Cabinet meeting in Rayong agreed to upgrade the “Rao Tiew Duay Kan” (We Travel Together) tourism stimulus scheme after it received a disappointing response from travellers. Only 660,000 of the 5 million nights of subsidised accommodation offered by the scheme have been booked by travellers since it started operating in July.

Cut the subsidies to zero and tell the hotels to drop their prices until the Thais come.

2 hours ago, Pattaya Spotter said:

That's generally the case with government handouts...people don't like to see their taxes handed out to non-citizens (especially during an economic crisis). The fact there a relatively few foreigners in the country at this time it's doubtful their hotel stays would be any meaningful help to the hospitality industry. 

Non-citizens pay tax too. It's called VAT. The T stands for tax.

The subsidised rooms scheme didn't work simply because hotels raised their prices so much that the rooms ended up more expensive than they were before the subsidy, mental

Desperate stuff. 

5 hours ago, alant said:

Thais only again?

No point in including those expats.

Good commercial policy

And if I don't go the Thai Mrs doesn't go.  What a forward thinking, albeit xenophobic, policy.

"Boo hoo.  Nobody come to hotel.  We have empty rooms maak maak.  But we no want dirty foreigners.  Big health boss say they wear dirty cloths, no take shower, and all have Covid!!!"

I read sometime ago that the Gov was also working on a promotional package for these outcasts called "expats".

 

Is there any news about that?

We are all at sea in the crisis we have made ahoy! there that's why we need submarines????

 

 

And not all places have been added to the scheme by the government.

I believe all national parks hotels have not been included.

If you have no customer's then lower the prices. The government should offer coupons to visit attractions and food discounts.

 

Who will benefit the most from this scheme - Obviously those still working (getting paid), and who are they?  Well I guess if you work for the government - you just got a new benefit over the ordinary Thai - This time you didn't even have to ask for the brown envelope. ????

Normal Thai don't take that kind hotel what give that discount! Its still 2 times more exbensive that hotel what they normaly use like 400 bth/ night hotel! And ritch people not travel coz they have alredy seen all!

15 hours ago, alant said:

Thais only again?

No point in including those expats.

Good commercial policy

Why post the truth when you can distort it, ignorance?

The scheme is open to Thai residents and their guests, and this expat is enjoying the benefits, just had a bottle of wine in the Ao Nang Dusit with the 40% discount.

4 hours ago, DaveCW said:

Who will benefit the most from this scheme

Do you really believe that the 750,000 nights that have been booked hasn't given anything for anyone to do.

14 hours ago, hotchilli said:

Cut the subsidies to zero and tell the hotels to drop their prices until the Thais come.

They tell me that ignorance is bliss.

6 hours ago, Sametboy2019 said:

And not all places have been added to the scheme by the government.

I believe all national parks hotels have not been included.

If you have no customer's then lower the prices. The government should offer coupons to visit attractions and food discounts.

 

Why post garbage.

It is up to businesses to register, there is no inclusion or exclusion. My wife has asked many businesses if they were registered and they all said it was too complicated. It has nothing to do with the concept but about a reluctance to embrace new technology. When we were in China last year we had to get a ferry across the river to the town, it was about 10 baht and every one from kids to the elderly were paying by QR code, the driver got the shock of his life when I put money on the table.

If the government is to be blamed fr anything it is only going too far too quick.

There is vouchers available, to cover food and other tourist activity, had a few discounted meals, but it is up to business to make that available to the people, not the government.

On 8/26/2020 at 11:50 PM, sandyf said:

Why post the truth when you can distort it, ignorance?

The scheme is open to Thai residents and their guests, and this expat is enjoying the benefits, just had a bottle of wine in the Ao Nang Dusit with the 40% discount.

Yes sandyf ignorance, I didn't know as someone on a non o visa I could apply, great news.

44 minutes ago, alant said:

Yes sandyf ignorance, I didn't know as someone on a non o visa I could apply, great news.

Good distraction. This is what you said

"Thais only again?"

 

As someone who has been I can assure you it is not Thais only.

Feel free however to keep distorting the facts.