Thai tourism officials hopeful 6 million European travellers will arrive this year

[webfact]

Monsoon in Phuket

 

By Peter Roche

The governor of the Tourism Authority of Thailand says he expects 6 million European tourists to visit the kingdom this year, according to a Bangkok Post report. This figure would be 80% of pre-Covid levels and should generate around 420 billion baht of a total expected tourism revenue of 1.5 trillion baht for 2023.

 

Yuthasak Supasorn, who was speaking while attending one of Europe’s biggest travel fairs, ITB Berlin 2023, says he’s confident Thailand will see pent-up travel demand among European tourists for the next year or two, in particular from Russia, the UK, and Germany.

 

“I am confident Thailand remains the top destination in Asia for European markets.”

 

The TAT governor acknowledges some challenges remain, including Russia’s war in Ukraine, the risk of recession, a lack of flight capacity, and the tourism sector’s ongoing struggle with labour shortages. He adds that come the second quarter of 2023, traditionally seen as the “low season” for European tourists, the TAT will shift its marketing focus to target the Middle East and China.

 

Meanwhile, limited flight numbers and frequencies are leading to higher airfares, with Yuthasak saying his agency expects to see an increase in demand for visa extensions.

 

The TAT says a temporary extension of permitted stays on tourist visas and visas on arrival from 30 to 45 days, and 15 to 30 days, respectively, means tourists are staying longer, boosting tourism revenue. However, a proposal to extend the scheme until the end of March has not yet received Cabinet approval.

 

Meanwhile, a third ground handling operator is expected to be approved for Bangkok’s Suvarnabhumi Airport by the end of the year, to alleviate delays and congestion.

 

Source: https://phuket-go.com/phuket-news/national-news/thai-tourism-officials-hopeful-6-million-european-travellers-will-arrive-this-year/

 

-- © Copyright Phuket GO 2023-03-09

 

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[proton]

No details yet on the health insurance the 300 baht landing tax is going to cover then?

[hotchilli]

1 hour ago, webfact said:

Yuthasak Supasorn, who was speaking while attending one of Europe’s biggest travel fairs, ITB Berlin 2023, says he’s confident Thailand will see pent-up travel demand among European tourists for the next year or two, in particular from Russia, the UK, and Germany.

Flights rising in costs, especially long haul,Thailands hotels gouging every baht they can.... 

let time see.

[Mavideol]

5 minutes ago, hotchilli said:

Flights rising in costs, especially long haul,Thailands hotels gouging every baht they can.... 

let time see.

flights and rooms rising in costs, Europe is cheaper and nearby.... they should lower their "expectations"  555

 

Travel demand fuels a boom in Asia Pacific — in hotel rates

Hotel rates are at an “all-time high,” Alan Watts, Hilton’s Asia-Pacific president, told “Squawk Box Asia” on Thursday.

 

Rates in Asia are skyrocketing

It’s more expensive to travel in Southeast Asia, especially in these 4 places (Bali, Bangkok, Phuket and Singapore)

 

 

[fusion58]

Quote

Hotel rates are at an “all-time high,” Alan Watts, Hilton’s Asia-Pacific president, told “Squawk Box Asia” on Thursday.

Alan Watts?

 

 

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alan_Watts

 

????

[Smokey and the Bandit]

4 hours ago, hotchilli said:

Flights rising in costs, especially long haul,Thailands hotels gouging every baht they can.... 

let time see.

Flights still very expensive, up 100%,  but the price of oil has come down? Since 40% of the operating cost of an airline is fuel, why haven't the airfares?

 

 

[AhFarangJa]

7 minutes ago, Smokey and the Bandit said:

Flights still very expensive, up 100%,  but the price of oil has come down? Since 40% of the operating cost of an airline is fuel, why haven't the airfares?

 

 

Gouging back what they last in the covidiocy maybe.

 

[mikeymike100]

31 minutes ago, Smokey and the Bandit said:

Flights still very expensive, up 100%,  but the price of oil has come down? Since 40% of the operating cost of an airline is fuel, why haven't the airfares?

 

 

I would think the airlines are trying to make up for the shortfall they have had over the past two years?

[RichardColeman]

I have to go back to England a week from today, so I dare say I will count as 2 people next week when returning 2 days later

[BayArea]

15 hours ago, hotchilli said:

Flights rising in costs, especially long haul,Thailands hotels gouging every baht they can.... 

let time see.

It was cheaper for our family of 4 to booked a flight to France than Thailand this summer!

[nigelforbes]

7 minutes ago, BayArea said:

It was cheaper for our family of 4 to booked a flight to France than Thailand this summer!

Where do you live?

[BayArea]

34 minutes ago, nigelforbes said:

Where do you live?

In the Bay Area, California 

[nigelforbes]

16 hours ago, Mavideol said:

flights and rooms rising in costs, Europe is cheaper and nearby.... they should lower their "expectations"  555

 

Travel demand fuels a boom in Asia Pacific — in hotel rates

Hotel rates are at an “all-time high,” Alan Watts, Hilton’s Asia-Pacific president, told “Squawk Box Asia” on Thursday.

 

Rates in Asia are skyrocketing

It’s more expensive to travel in Southeast Asia, especially in these 4 places (Bali, Bangkok, Phuket and Singapore)

 

 

Over 75% of overseas tourism is from South Asia and the region. The country is not reliant on long haul tourists from the US or Europe, it's more of a nice to have to help increase overall numbers but it's not vital..

[hotchilli]

59 minutes ago, BayArea said:

It was cheaper for our family of 4 to booked a flight to France than Thailand this summer!

My brother in UK was going to visit me this year in Thailand.

He changed his mind.

Two weeks in Thailand + flights he got one month in Florida for the same money.

[nigelforbes]

6 minutes ago, hotchilli said:

My brother in UK was going to visit me this year in Thailand.

He changed his mind.

Two weeks in Thailand + flights he got one month in Florida for the same money.

He will have saved on some of the costs but his daily expenses will be much higher, the US isn't cheap right now and the Pound is weak against USD.

[BayArea]

10 minutes ago, hotchilli said:

My brother in UK was going to visit me this year in Thailand.

He changed his mind.

Two weeks in Thailand + flights he got one month in Florida for the same money.

Good for him. Unfortunately,  there are probably many people in the same boat as he and I. 

[jacko45k]

13 hours ago, Smokey and the Bandit said:

Flights still very expensive, up 100%,  but the price of oil has come down? Since 40% of the operating cost of an airline is fuel, why haven't the airfares?

 

 

I suspect the price is based on supply and demand and what people are prepared to pay too. 

[StayinThailand2much]

On 3/9/2023 at 1:27 PM, proton said:

No details yet on the health insurance the 300 baht landing tax is going to cover then?

No, but the expected 1.8 billion income from it has already been divided up...

Edited March 10, 2023 by StayinThailand2much

[Faltu]

12 hours ago, nigelforbes said:

He will have saved on some of the costs but his daily expenses will be much higher, the US isn't cheap right now and the Pound is weak against USD.

One can still find a decent hotel for less than $100 in Thailand. Good luck finding one in the USA. In a crime infested dump is going to cost $150/day, including all taxes. Flight prices to Bangkok from London will be similar to Florida. 

[Mickmouse1]

I wonder where did he get his expectation from or based on what? Current booking trend?

[Mickmouse1]

1 hour ago, Faltu said:

One can still find a decent hotel for less than $100 in Thailand. Good luck finding one in the USA. In a crime infested dump is going to cost $150/day, including all taxes. Flight prices to Bangkok from London will be similar to Florida. 

Who wants to go there anyway 555