Thailand Tourism Industry Slumps: Urgent Reforms Needed

[webfact]

Picture courtesy: Kapook

 

Thailand's tourism industry has hit a significant roadblock, plummeting 11 places in the latest World Economic Forum (WEF) Travel and Tourism Development Index, a call for urgent reforms and innovation.

 

Thailand, which recorded a modest 1.5% growth in the first quarter of 2024, saw its position drop from 36th to 47th in the WEF index, sending ripples through the country's travel and hospitality sectors. Industry leaders are now urging immediate and comprehensive action to address the decline.

 

The WEF index is a comprehensive assessment of a nation's travel and tourism industry, examining sustainability, socioeconomic, and environmental factors. It consists of five pillars: Business Environment, Safety and Security, Health and Hygiene, Human Resources and Labour Market, and ICT Readiness.

 

Sandy Liw, General Manager of InterContinental Khao Yai Resort, underscored the need for infrastructure improvements, especially in lesser-known areas.

 

"The government should consider upgrading and expanding transportation infrastructure, including airports, roads, and public transit systems, to improve accessibility and convenience for tourists. Remote areas like Khao Yai, a beautiful yet underexplored destination, would benefit greatly from such enhancements."

 

Liw highlighted that new highways or high-speed trains could significantly boost accessibility and tourism in remote areas.

 

Sukamal Mondal, Area General Manager for Amari Bangkok and Shama Properties Bangkok at Onyx Hospitality Group, views the drop in ranking as an urgent call to action.

 

"This report is a wake-up call to enhance our efforts in improving Thailand’s tourism appeal. While it's a setback, it presents an opportunity for stakeholders to collaborate and innovate to regain our standing."

 

Mondal emphasised the importance of basic infrastructure improvements, such as upgrading transportation networks and modernising accommodation facilities. He also advocated for stronger public-private partnerships to tackle existing challenges and foster innovative solutions.

 

Anne Arrowsmith, General Manager at 137 Pillars House Chiang Mai, urged a more strategic approach to regional tourism.

 

"Regional tourism needs more focus, especially in terms of increasing and diversifying international flight arrivals. Chiang Mai, for instance, has seen a surge in hotel supply, but inbound flights haven't yet reached pre-Covid levels."

 

Arrowsmith suggested that hosting major international events could elevate Thailand's profile.

 

"Securing key sporting events could greatly enhance the country's appeal. Just look at what F1 did for Singapore and how Saudi Arabia is boosting its appeal through golf and tennis events."

 

Immediate and targeted action from the government and industry stakeholders is crucial to reviving Thailand's tourism sector and reclaiming its position on the global stage.

 

-- 2024-06-17

 

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[smedly]

all you need now is to #### off the expat community and the self destruction will be complete..........oh wait

[Pique Dard]

1 hour ago, webfact said:

Thailand's tourism industry has hit a significant roadblock, plummeting 11 places

..this is just the beginning! with the new taxes you're imposing on tourists, they won't be rushing to come and visit the land of smiles!

[englishoak]

Judging by the article, these clowns don't have a scooby doo what to do. 

[jonclark]

Problem is..Thailand haw been flogging itself for so long, to so many that everybody has now experienced a holiday in Thailand and is looking for new deatinations. 

[sqwakvfr]

Meanwhilre Japan is expecting 31 Million vistors this year.  Japan is handicapped by brutal winters for 3 months and the high cost of just bout everything compared to the Land of Smiles.  It looks like many are chosing Quality Destination over a Cheap Destination.  Do Thai Tourism officials do anykind of self assessement and just ask "Can we do better?"

[Mbolo]

They have no idea. 

[Dakhar]

Quit threatening to tax foreigners.

[spidermike007]

None of the problems that existed long before covid have been addressed. It was a perfect opportunity to do a full reset. However, the hubris, the arrogance and the absolute insistence on believing that Thailand is not only the center of the universe, but the most important and desirable tourist destination in the world, has seemingly prevented the goons from doing anything worthwhile. 

 

Thailand is making only very minor improvements, and continues to move backwards. The army, and the goons leading the nation do not have a clue. It is all about worshiping the golden calf of money. 

[2baht]

3 hours ago, webfact said:

Thailand's tourism industry has hit a significant roadblock, plummeting 11 places

Here's an idea, quick, put up prices immediately to compensate any loss! Let the tourist pay!

[hotchilli]

3 hours ago, webfact said:

The WEF index is a comprehensive assessment of a nation's travel and tourism industry, examining sustainability, socioeconomic, and environmental factors. It consists of five pillars: Business Environment, Safety and Security, Health and Hygiene, Human Resources and Labour Market, and ICT Readiness.

Oh dear.... 

[hotchilli]

27 minutes ago, spidermike007 said:

None of the problems that existed long before covid have been addressed. It was a perfect opportunity to do a full reset. However, the hubris, the arrogance and the absolute insistence on believing that Thailand is not only the center of the universe, but the most important and desirable tourist destination in the world, has seemingly prevented the goons from doing anything worthwhile. 

 

Thailand is making only very minor improvements, and continues to move backwards. The army, and the goons leading the nation do not have a clue. It is all about worshiping the golden calf of money. 

Thailand re-opened post Covid, doing exactly what it did pre-Covid... the same tired old venues, same old routines, same old walking streets, same old Sois, same old girls, same old rip-offs.

Some people come once but don't return, backpackers like it and return, others realise Japan, Korea Taiwan, Malaysia have a lot more to offer with better quality and hospitality.

[steven100]

 

but they can turn to the Quadtrillion $$ dollars worth of minerals underground just waiting to be excavated.  Get on the blower to China and get those diggers going  ......  

 

Tourism out ...mining in    !!

[2baht]

The Centre of The Universe has moved, Thailand's time has expired! 

[ChipButty]

At least this time they have come up with the real story instead of the usual B/S, I can tell you here on the ground in Rawai it's dead, most mornings I go to the beach I know what it should look like to what it is now, I stopped at Amazon the other morning it was empty even the staff told me it's gone quiet since last month,

Sunday morning is when we do our shopping, Makro was quiet even the carparks in Central were half empty, 

 

[steven100]

3 minutes ago, ChipButty said:

At least this time they have come up with the real story instead of the usual B/S, I can tell you here on the ground in Rawai it's dead, most mornings I go to the beach I know what it should look like to what it is now, I stopped at Amazon the other morning it was empty even the staff told me it's gone quiet since last month,

Sunday morning is when we do our shopping, Makro was quiet even the carparks in Central were half empty, 

 

thank you CB for that update, I always like reading your comments. 

[ChipButty]

3 minutes ago, steven100 said:

thank you CB for that update, I always like reading your comments. 

Cheers, I speak to the local people, I think I have lived here longer than most of them, The lady I know down the pharmacy it's quiet, the laundry at the top of my soi said she was doing better during covid this is quiet she said,

 

 

[jackinthebox]

2019: amazing thailand🙋‍♀️-> 2020: dirty farang bring covid! kick them out 🫡 🤚-> 2021: economy melting, please help us 😥-> 2022: tourists welcome back...have some weed! 😉 ->2023: stop overtourism! Please pay at the airport. Thanks 🤑 ->2024: Oh no! Tourism Industry Slumps. Let's advertise "amazing thailand" 🙏-> 2025: dirty farang so rich, thai no money! Let's tax them 😼->2026: What have we done? Help us please 🫢

[OneMoreFarang]

First step: BIG fines for taxi-no-meter and all the other well-known scammers.

Second: Fire all the police officers who regularly take bribes from above.

 

Take lots of pictures and videos and publish them. I guarantee lots of tourists, and not only tourist, will love that.

[ChipButty]

I think one of the areas they should look at is, Food and Drink Hygiene, I dont just mean the 5 star hotels they should go right down to street level,

My own experiences I could list many, Mostly food not cooked properly and that's regular, we recently went to a restaurant and was given a beer past it's sell by date, I normally ask for a glass so I knew when I poured it, we are talking about a well known place with a few branches on the island. I have been told in the past getting Thai staff to put new stock to the back is difficult,,

Taking food out of freezers and letting it defrost then putting it back is another thing that happens.

[MarkBR]

2 hours ago, englishoak said:

Judging by the article, these clowns don't have a scooby doo what to do. 

Government  = Fung Kwai aka Herd of Water Buffalo

[Stargeezr]

1. It is school time in most of the northern half of the world. 2. it is almost Summer time in the northern half of the world.

3. i do not travel to any hot place of the world when it is hot enough where I live.

  Thailand, it is low tourist season, or have you tried to change things?

[soalbundy]

In Thailand it's the rainy season.....in Europe it's summer, might have something to do with it but we will never know until we form a committee.

[ChipButty]

7 minutes ago, soalbundy said:

In Thailand it's the rainy season.....in Europe it's summer, might have something to do with it but we will never know until we form a committee.

In my experience low season is usually ok, but not this year so far, lots of people come here for the rain by the way

[Thingamabob]

There is a growing perception that Thailand is no longer friendly towards western people.

[OneZero]

"Sandy Liw, General Manager of InterContinental Khao Yai Resort, underscored the need for infrastructure improvements, especially in lesser-known areas."

 

Never mind that, the admirals demand money for submarines.

[Presnock]

2 hours ago, spidermike007 said:

None of the problems that existed long before covid have been addressed. It was a perfect opportunity to do a full reset. However, the hubris, the arrogance and the absolute insistence on believing that Thailand is not only the center of the universe, but the most important and desirable tourist destination in the world, has seemingly prevented the goons from doing anything worthwhile. 

 

Thailand is making only very minor improvements, and continues to move backwards. The army, and the goons leading the nation do not have a clue. It is all about worshiping the golden calf of money. 

yeah why are the govt coffers empty after the mil govt left - oh submarines, war planes, tanks, etc  for what war?  They are right now re-enforcing their non-aligned status in the world.

[ChipButty]

Survey Reveals Pollution as Thai Citizens’ Biggest Worry, The Tourist are not happy also, 

[morrobay]

11 minutes ago, Thingamabob said:

There is a growing perception that Thailand is no longer friendly towards western people.

For example Pattaya beach used to have a mini high seasons for Europeans in summer months. But endless "improvements" to promenade and contract/kickback construction drainpipes projects put an end to that.Now the promenade is a glorified road+beach side parking for Thais. Then there used to be outside cafes and bookstores along the beach. Now fast food. That crowd is long gone. No visitors are going to put up with that sh!tshow. Same thing happening in Jomtien now. 

[retarius]

1 hour ago, OneMoreFarang said:

First step: BIG fines for taxi-no-meter and all the other well-known scammers.

Second: Fire all the police officers who regularly take bribes from above.

 

Take lots of pictures and videos and publish them. I guarantee lots of tourists, and not only tourist, will love that.

I think you need to impound the taxis. Firstly, since no cash will change hands there is no need to fire all the police officers, secondly, the driver and owner of the cab are often different people so hurt the one who has the money.