Thai hoteliers express concerns over government’s proposal of “dual pricing” for foreign tourists

[snoop1130]

 

Thai hoteliers expressed concerns over the government’s plans to set dual accommodation pricing for foreign and local tourists, saying that the idea was not practical during the country’s attempt to spur tourism and the domestic economy.

 

According to the deputy government spokesperson on Thursday, the government would introduce the implementation of a dual-tariff condition in which foreign visitors may be charged rates similar to the pre-pandemic period while local tourists may continue to pay at current discounted rates.

 

President of the Thai Hotels Association, Marisa Sukosol Nunbhakdi, stated that the dual-pricing idea was “impractical” as hotel room rates always shift constantly based on market conditions. Moreover, each hotel of each star-rates also uses different strategies to set prices.

 

Full Story: https://thepattayanews.com/2022/07/08/thai-hoteliers-express-concerns-over-governments-proposal-of-dual-pricing-for-foreign-tourists/

 

-- © Copyright The Pattaya News 2022-07-08

 

- Cigna offers a range of visa-compliant plans that meet the minimum requirement of medical treatment, including COVID-19, up to THB 3m. For more information on all expat health insurance plans click here.

 

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[Denim]

Well, if implemented, which is doubtful, it will be a great boost for Air B&B .

 

This government continues with its ' in out in out ' okey cokey machinations which only serve the purpose of illustrating what you get from a bunch of idiots with zero business acumen.

[Iamfalang]

15 minutes ago, snoop1130 said:

dual-tariff condition in which foreign visitors may be charged rates similar to the pre-pandemic period while local tourists may continue to pay at current discounted rates.

whatever that travel website it........this will get out.   

 

It's never about the money, it's the pure disrespect.   

 

A bad taste in your mouth.        (insert joke here)

 

 

[tomacht8]

Instead of hastily trumpeting such half-thought-out proposals in the media, TAT should first seek dialogue with practitioners and experts in a small circle.

It's obvious that the TAT doesn't know much about business and modern tourism marketing.

 

The PR damage is done.

[newnative]

Well, kudos to the hoteliers for tactfully saying this is the dumbest idea to come down the pike.

[dinsdale]

Just another example of a policy from an empty head. Money gets you to the top not intelligence.

[Baron Samedi]

They should set up a very easy dual pricing.

Everyone gets the normal price.

And when that little Anutin weasel shows his racist face....

PAM ! Price x10 !!! ????

Easy. You add a zero to his bill.

 

[RandiRona]

They all be standing in line once Thailand decides to publish this in Royal gazette.

After court approved quadruple pricing for hospitals for Falangs, they see it legitimate way to fleece remaining falangs.

What a shame!!

[josephbloggs]

3 hours ago, tomacht8 said:

Instead of hastily trumpeting such half-thought-out proposals in the media, TAT should first seek dialogue with practitioners and experts in a small circle.

It's obvious that the TAT doesn't know much about business and modern tourism marketing.

 

The PR damage is done.

Where does it say this was a TAT idea??

Edit: Never mind, it's the tourism ministry which is close enough.  Dumb.

Edited July 8, 2022 by josephbloggs

[Senior Player]

1 hour ago, josephbloggs said:

Where does it say this was a TAT idea??

Edit: Never mind, it's the tourism ministry which is close enough.  Dumb.

In the above article, it doesn't. But elsewhere, such as Bloomberg, it states: "Thailand’s tourism ministry plans to ask hotel operators to implement a dual-tariff structure under which foreign visitors may be charged rates similar to pre-pandemic days while locals may continue to enjoy discounted rates." Another news site says "Phiphat Ratchakitprakarn, the tourism and sports minister, said the government did not give a mandatory order about the issue, but wants to encourage hotels to shift room rates based on the market."

 

Correct me if I'm wrong but the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) is an organization of Thailand under the Ministry of Tourism and Sports, which would be Phiphat Ratchakitprakarn.

[Damrongsak]

In the linked article in the original article:

 

Deputy government spokesperson Traisulee Traisaranakul revealed that the Minister of Tourism and Sports, Phiphat Ratchakitprakarn, and the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) are preparing to discuss with hotel operators in various tourism provinces, including the Hotel Association of Thailand, regarding accommodation prices.

 

https://thepattayanews.com/2022/07/07/thai-government-planning-to-set-dual-accommodation-pricing-for-foreign-tourists-at-similar-rates-to-pre-pandemic-period/

 

 

[garyk]

Government planting this seed in Thailand means it will be played to the hilt. Best to avoid Thailand until back to normal now.

 

[webfact]

Negative reaction and horror at Thailand’s plan to charge foreigners more than locals at hotels

by Joseph O' Connor

 

The controversial plan to charge foreign travellers to Thailand more at hotels than locals was announced by government spokesperson Trisulee Traisanakul on Wednesday. Reactions to the plan have been adverse from the industry with concerns about the impact of the image the proposal creates around the world with both regular visitors to Thailand and those considering visiting the kingdom for the first time. The proposal is also disturbing for the kingdom’s foreign residents because of the message it sends to other business concerns and operators.

 

The bombshell announcement this week is bound to generate antipathy and concern among foreigners both inside and without Thailand. It goes against all principles of modern customer service as well as international business practices and will ultimately undermine the goal of the government which is to assist the full recovery of Thailand’s foreign tourism sector which the World Bank predicts will not fully recover until 2026 but which has been improving in recent months with an easing of regulations imposed on it by the government, moves which had generated renewed optimism and confidence.

 

The announcement by the Thai government this week that it was moving to introduce a two-tier pricing structure for foreigners and locals at hotels across the kingdom has been received negatively by key players in the foreign tourism industry with real fears that the initiative may cause damage to efforts to maximise incoming visitors this year because of the negative message being sent to foreign travellers, many of whom are regular holiday makers to the kingdom and have shown loyalty towards it over the decades. The move will equally put off potential new travellers to the country as it undermines internationally recognised standards of customer service and equal treatment expected by tourists the world over.

 

There has been a less than enthusiastic response from the Thai hotel industry to the proposal floated on Wednesday by the government to charge foreigners a higher tariff than locals in a measure designed to boost foreign tourism income for the troubled industry despite the optimism in recent weeks that a recovery was playing out with a jump in the number of arrivals.

 

Full story: https://www.thaiexaminer.com/thai-news-foreigners/2022/07/08/plan-to-charge-foreigners-more-at-hotels/

 

-- © Copyright Thai Examiner 2022-07-09

 

- Cigna offers a range of visa-compliant plans that meet the minimum requirement of medical treatment, including COVID-19, up to THB 3m. For more information on all expat health insurance plans click here.

 

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[2baht]

5 minutes ago, webfact said:

The announcement by the Thai government this week

...........confirms that they are not too smart!

[darrenr]

Does this mean hotels have to charge the full rate and cannot apply discounts I.e off season , long bookings 14 days or more , I always get my room 40% off full rate when I book may to September (which is what happens pre pandemic and currently)

[NHPT]

Damage to Thailands "image" is done.

 

Its in the foreign press now and there is no damage control that can fix that.

 

Can't fix stupid.

[blazes]

Assuming this racist proposal is not rescinded, those of us expats who have Thai wives or girlfriends can simply ask the missis to make the bookings....

[1duckyboy]

So in essence, foreigners would be paying more to subsidize Thai nationals staying in the same hotel. This may not go over well with prospective tourists. 

Edited July 8, 2022 by 1duckyboy

[sqwakvfr]

Is Economics taught in Thai Universities?  Never mind because the current President of the US recently told gas station owners to reduce prices.  

[Harveyboy]

8 hours ago, Iamfalang said:

whatever that travel website it........this will get out.   

 

It's never about the money, it's the pure disrespect.   

 

A bad taste in your mouth.        (insert joke here)

 

 

reap what you sow..let them go broke 

[Loinx22]

Soooo, when my wife (Thai) and I stay at a hotel how tf would they charge that?  By whoever's name is on the booking?  Or they have to do the maths?  This is beyond dumb.  Wouldn't think too much into it.

Although............ 

[pokerface1]

16 minutes ago, blazes said:

Assuming this racist proposal is not rescinded, those of us expats who have Thai wives or girlfriends can simply ask the missis to make the bookings....

I just recently got my wife to book a 5 star hotel called the Royal Crest at 3800 Baht per night which has 400 rooms with occupancy of only 50. There's no way this business is making a profit or covering its costs. I reckon the proposed changes will cause them down completely. 

 

 

[Skeptic7]

Another blatantly greedy and idiotic ripoff scheme by a bunch of greedy, xenophobic idiots. 

[Laughing Gravy]

9 hours ago, snoop1130 said:

Thai hoteliers expressed concerns over the government’s plans to set dual accommodation pricing for foreign and local tourists, saying that the idea was not practical during the country’s attempt to spur tourism and the domestic economy.

No s**t Sherlock. Even the most challenged can see that. Sadly, the clowns in charge seem destined to ruin tourism, one way or another.

[inThailand]

They say it is impractical to use duel pricing. 

 

This means they will be doing it, albeit quietly. 

[ikke1959]

The Government has no clue what they are doing, I have said many times... They have to leave as soon as possible to help he country recovered.. With this bunch of nitwits everything will go down time after time and the damage is already done again.... Please choose competent people to help theThai people

[pokerface1]

Discrimination in this day and age will have consequences. If the hotels follow the directive forced on them I would hope agoda and booking dot com. Remove all Thai hotels from their websites due to  discrimination. That would surely give the TAT a big kick in the family jewels. 

[Nicholas Paul KNIGHT]

Any expat living here for a number of years and NOT married will need to work out how to stay at the local price. Congratulations Thai Government, openly telling the world that Non Thais can be scammed, fleeced and generally treated as rubbish. Another Xenophobic racist IDEA coming from a Thai Government. 

[Millcx]

Yep they should be worried 

[Lacessit]

Hoteliers are not idiots, they don't stay in business if they are. Unlike TAT staff, who are on the government teat.

The hoteliers can see this moronic proposal will damage Thailand as a tourist destination, and do them no favors with foreigners residing here long-term either.