BANGKOK (NNT) - The public and private sectors are being urged to work together to prepare for uncertainty in the tourism industry next year, which may pose hurdles for Thailand’s ability to maintain its competitive edge.

 

Bhumikitti Ruktaengam, advisory chairman of the Phuket Tourist Association, stated that more integration is needed between the public and private sectors, especially regarding tourism policies. The cooperation will be crucial as the Thai tourism industry braces for uncertainties and increased competition in 2023.

 

Bhumikitti said domestic factors such as political tension for the upcoming general election next year would pose concerns for tourists visiting the country. Soaring energy prices and the ongoing Russia-Ukraine crisis are affecting tourist expenditures and making it harder for authorities to raise expenditures per trip. Another source of uncertainty is the mass demonstrations against the Covid-19 curb in China, which create ambiguity in travel regulations and may impact the number of Chinese tourists visiting Thailand in the future.

 

The advisory chairman warned that increased competition is a challenge for the Thai tourism industry, noting that some tourist groups have already switched their winter destinations from Thailand to neighboring countries. He emphasized that the country may lose more tourists to competitors unless cooperation and new methods are implemented to retain its competitiveness.

 

Meanwhile, Krod Rojanastien, president of the Thai Spa Association, suggested that Thailand focus on potential tourism products the country already has, which could tap high-spending travelers. He believes the country has strong potential in the health and wellness sector and urged the government to strengthen education programs related to these services to address the crucial problem of personnel shortages.

 

Source: https://thainews.prd.go.th/en/news/detail/TCATG221201131833128

 

-- © Copyright NNT 2022-12-01

 

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not so difficult. stop with manipulating the THB.. it is too strong, cancel double pricing, lower tax of foreign imported goods, allow alcoholsales during daytime and allow also e cigarettes. Don't see foreigners as criminals if they riding a motorcycle withut a license as many Thais do he same.. First solve the problem for the locals first instead of making money of foreigners and so the list can go endless going on...Welcome everyone not only the rich, becaue Thailand is very expensive and there are cheaper countries. And also with a good working polceforce take care of the safety of tourists

You've lost many of the Scandinavian / European tourists due to the Russia-Ukraine war but have opened the flood gates for lower spending Russians ( 'tourists' is not accurate either ). Probably look like Covid times in Phuket without the 50,000 that arrived in November......

14 hours ago, snoop1130 said:

The advisory chairman warned that increased competition is a challenge for the Thai tourism industry, noting that some tourist groups have already switched their winter destinations from Thailand to neighboring countries. He emphasized that the country may lose more tourists to competitors unless cooperation and new methods are implemented to retain its competitiveness.

With over 2 Years where the Country locked out Foreign Travelers, there was an ideal opportunity for the Government , and the Private  Sector, to Invest in the Tourism Sector.

Instead, the Authorities just dug more and more Holes in the Walkways and Roads, and watched the weeds grow around every piece of Tourism Real Estate, and the Private Sector just shuttered everything.

New approaches to Tourism have been implemented a long time ago by forward thinking and innovative Governments, which now leaves Thailand on the back burner when it comes to attracting Tourists to Thai shores.

The high Baht and a policy of flip-flopping over every decision made at the top, has pushed Tourists away, and the sole reliance upon China to come charging over the Hill with Millions of tourists has backfired in spectacular fashion for TAT.

An old saying springs to mind

P**s Poor Planning will always equal P**s poor performance.

 

11 hours ago, ikke1959 said:

not so difficult. stop with manipulating the THB.. it is too strong, cancel double pricing, lower tax of foreign imported goods, allow alcoholsales during daytime and allow also e cigarettes. Don't see foreigners as criminals if they riding a motorcycle withut a license as many Thais do he same.. First solve the problem for the locals first instead of making money of foreigners and so the list can go endless going on...Welcome everyone not only the rich, becaue Thailand is very expensive and there are cheaper countries. And also with a good working polceforce take care of the safety of tourists

Please stop making very sensible suggestions. It is depressing when no one listens. ????

Everything that you write is correct, but we have a government here that is anti-foreigner, making laws and decisions that suppress free thinking and fun. They still think that we are in the 1950's. ????

Do not get me wrong. I love Thailand and I love the Thai people. Luckily I live far enough away from 'the government ' to be left alone. ????

18 hours ago, snoop1130 said:

The public and private sectors are being urged to work together to prepare for uncertainty in the tourism industry next year, which may pose hurdles for Thailand’s ability to maintain its competitive edge.

TAT will have all the latest Soft Power measures in place, even now they are in Saudi telling the world Thailand is going to be boom boom in 2023.