Thailand Enters Low Tourism Season: Hopes Rest on Chinese Visitors

[webfact]

 

On April 22nd, 2024, Mr. Sisdivachr Cheewarattanaporn, the President of the Association of Thai Travel Agents (ATTA), publicly revealed that Thailand is officially entering the low season. Thai Tourism operators may struggle with low incoming tourists after the Songkran Holidays.

Right after the Songkran Celebrations, Thailand would officially enter the low season as it does every year. Many tourism-related businesses might have to keep the business alive and meet the tourists’ demand with alternative tourism, according to Sisdivachr.

 

This was the nature of the tourism sector that did not change for the past decade. The low season caused the number of western, eastern, and European tourists to gradually decrease. However, China visitors were estimated to visit Thailand as there was a current visa exemption between Thailand and China, stated Sisdivachr.

 

By Kittisak Phalaharn

 

Full story: THE PATTAYA NEWS 2024-04-24

 

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[flyingtlger]

1 hour ago, webfact said:

Right after the Songkran Celebrations, Thailand would officially enter the low season as it does every year....

Just way too hot and the current 2.5 pmi pollution situation won't help attract new tourists....

[HappyExpat57]

And they're just now introducing a 300 baht tourist tariff???
S M F H

[daveAustin]

I’d be up for a 3000 baht entry fee if it scares the Chinese away 😋

[jacko45k]

My hopes rest on a low season to enjoy!

[hotchilli]

3 hours ago, webfact said:

Sisdivachr Cheewarattanaporn, the President of the Association of Thai Travel Agents (ATTA), publicly revealed that Thailand is officially entering the low season. Thai Tourism operators may struggle with low incoming tourists after the Songkran Holidays.

Same every year...

[sammieuk1]

Think they are busy swimming at the moment the tide has come in 🤔

[Gottfrid]

Chinese???? Don´t Forget: Anatoly "Mayhem" Kazatonov, the Russian in the free visa heaven.

Edited April 23 by Gottfrid

[2baht]

Hopes Rest on Chinese Visitors

 

Trust the Emperor (Xi)! 

[loong]

Makes no sense at all. Just yesterday reporting a possible 300 Baht fee due to too many tourists and today, concerns about the low season (that happens every year).

Surprised to see an advert for a cold brew beer at the top of the page. Such ads are not allowed are they?

[newbee2022]

I hope not.

After Songkran and after Farangs went back to their home countries, I like it to sit relaxed at the beach.

The plastic bag and "waste throw everywhere" time is over. And soon Thailand reminds me of my first visit in 1988. 🙏

[jacko45k]

1 hour ago, Sticky Rice Balls said:

Welcome Chinese--come work in a scam call center and make a few extra bucks with fake kidnappings....free mama cup to 1st 300 arrivals!

 

Bitcoin miners special!

Marginal improvement over the European property agents that kill people, chop them up and move them around town in freezers!

[Pesche]

High season, low season...

Well of course!

The TAT-strategy is so short sighted!

"Visa promotions" "Visa free" etc. are just a short living marketing strategies, and tourists ARE tourist! They are coming during holiday periods.

Than one complains - "Oh, over-tourism! Too many, too much!"

So let's rely on the Chinese who don't bother and complain... "They will fill the gap"-thinking...

There is a total lack of innovative future-oriented visionary thinking!

The TAT is missing a very lucrative "Soft-Tourism" market!

By Soft Tourism I talk: Long term, retirement Tourism!

 

This is in my opinion THE market of the future: Retirement-Pensioner, Long Term Soft Tourism

• Reason number one:
  Most Western Countries have increasing pensioners - See https://ourworldindata.org/grapher/population-by-five-year-age-group + https://www.visualcapitalist.com/the-worlds-population-2020-by-age/
  The average pensioner struggles in his own Country!
  The pension is low and forces one to lower the lifestyle standard!
  The costs are too high!
• Reason number two:
  "Soft Tourism" since this market would be long term, it would continue during the Green/Low Season.
  This segment is "calm and nice" - They want peace and tranquillity - No party monsters, drunkards nor troublemakers.
  This would support the Tourism Industry, Retirement Resorts, Home Rental, Restaurants, Taxi, Tuk-Tuk, Local Market, and so on until the "Little Noodle Shop"...
• The potential is HUGE:
  Exponential growing demand!
  Even an average pension would allow a better standard of living.
  High demand for Health related services! - Thailand has High standards Hospitals! Excellent Services! Traditional Massage etc.
  High demand for "Care Staff" - Thailand IS one of the most Service-Oriented Population in the world! - From housemaid, to nurse until companion - you name it...
  High demand for Real Estate: Sales & Rentals
   

This would sure give a long term support to the entire Tourism Industry of Thailand which represents nearly 1/3 of income!

It would drastically improve the "after season void" and smooth the Low season May to October...

 

This is my suggestion for the future of the Tourism Industry!

So TAT should really make an effort to make this happen while being more inviting and simplifying Visa regulations and incentives toward this neglected potential Pensioner-Market!

It is a win-win strategy.

[Sydebolle]

You want to see the development of tourism in a fast forward mode?

Go to Luang Prabang, within less than five years they turned this jewel of an Indochinese Shangri-la into a steamroller of zero-dollar tourists shouting, screaming and misbehaving in such a way you would slap your own child. 

But Thailand is toasted already so just go ahead and destroy the little you have left of what was once "amazing Thailand". How sad and what a pity .......... 

[Irish star]

Busses and Busses and flags , Dreadful 

[Guderian]

Today's news: Oh my Buddha! It's low season and there are no tourists here, what will we do?

Yesterday's news: Thai tourism sector proposes 300-baht tax to counter over-tourism

 

Well all I can say is, that worked fast! 😃

[morrobay]

I hope not . The sh*t loads of these cigarette smoking asian male clones is too much as is. Both local and foreign 

 

[khunPer]

10 hours ago, webfact said:

This was the nature of the tourism sector that did not change for the past decade.

So, how can it then be a kind of surprise, worthy a news story...

[borderhopper2005]

Where is the Over-Tourism Thai cabinet was capitalizing to invent new B300- tourist levy?

 

 

[borderhopper2005]

10 hours ago, Guderian said:

Today's news: Oh my Buddha! It's low season and there are no tourists here, what will we do?

Yesterday's news: Thai tourism sector proposes 300-baht tax to counter over-tourism

 

 

It is usually called Birdbrain.

Short-memory to its extremity.

Edited April 24 by borderhopper2005

[borderhopper2005]

Talking about B300- admission fee to counter over-tourism yesterday.

Worrying about dramatical reduction of tourists numbers today?

 

Sounds like a old song.

 

Yesterday
All my troubles seemed so far away
Now it looks as though they're here to stay
Oh, I believe in yesterday

 

 

Edited April 24 by borderhopper2005

[YouAgain]

Just remember to crank up the price of cigs to make Ba-Ba-Ba-Billions of Baht!  🤑

[webfact]

Anticipated Low Season Challenges Thai Tourism Operators

 

Pattaya Beach, Chon Buri. Image courtesy of Thailand Tourism

 

Thai tourism operators are bracing for the annual low season following the country's Songkran Holidays, a time usually marked by a high influx of tourists. Sisdivachr Cheewarattanaporn, the head of the Association of Thai Travel Agents (ATTA), highlighted the importance of businesses finding alternative opportunities to stay afloat during this period.

 

This cycle of peak and low seasons is a common trend in Thailand's tourism sector. As the quiet period approaches, tourism from western, eastern, and European regions generally dips, noted Cheewarattanaporn. However, Chinese tourists continue to visit Thailand thanks to a current visa exemption agreement.

 

Despite relatively low numbers of Chinese tourists during the World Songkran Festival 2024 in Thailand, largely due to high flight costs, Cheewarattanaporn remains positive about Chinese tourism trends. He predicted that if the current rate of 20,000 to 22,000 Chinese tourists per day continues into the fourth quarter, ATTA could meet its target of 8 million Chinese visitors by year-end.

 

Amidst these predictions, Cheewarattanaporn also cautioned about the potential impacts of the ongoing Middle East conflict on Thailand's tourism. He stated that if the conflict between Israel and Iran intensifies, it could negatively impact the global economy, and consequently, Thailand's tourism sector.

 

Overall, as the low season poses challenges, Thai tourism operators must explore innovative methods to maintain their businesses. The reliance on tourists from Taiwan, India, and China emphasizes the crucial role of diversified visitor demographics in supporting Thailand's tourism sector. The global geopolitical landscape also continues to sway tourism trends, further emphasizing the need for operators to stay updated with world developments.

 

-- ASEAN NOW 2024-04-25

 

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[2baht]

On 4/24/2024 at 7:04 AM, loong said:

Makes no sense at all.

If it did, we'd all be worried!

[hotchilli]

7 hours ago, webfact said:

This cycle of peak and low seasons is a common trend in Thailand's tourism sector.

So Thais will deal with it as they always have.

[mikeymike100]

"Amidst these predictions, Cheewarattanaporn also cautioned about the potential impacts of the ongoing Middle East conflict on Thailand's tourism. He stated that if the conflict between Israel and Iran intensifies, it could negatively impact the global economy, and consequently, Thailand's tourism sector. "

 

So once again they only think of.....................$$$$$$$$

[Poseidon]

I hope for a long and very quiet low season. Sadly I can't get out to Thailand this year during the low season. But it would be good to help pricing come back down to reality as they are asking high season prices in the hotels. Also just after COVID which I got stuck in as I booked during the pandemic thinking COVID would end earlier so I would not get caught up in the rush. I never want to be in Thailand when it's crowded again. Hated it 

[DTL2014]

doesnt have to ....but if you prefer cosying up to china go for it. we already know  we can plug the gap with wealthy europeans if you simply book the entertainers of the countries you are trying to reach - its not rocket science.