File photo for reference only

 

The Thai restaurant industry is set for a boost this festive season, thanks to an influx of holiday travel and tourism. However, the Thai Restaurant Association has warned of possible declines in overall food and beverage spending due to reduced purchasing power and the concentration of tourist activity in popular areas like Bangkok.

 

Since early December, a cautious spending trend has been observed amongst locals, suggesting they are saving up for the holidays. This has led to a stagnation in the industry, according to Thaniwan Kulmongkol, President of the Thai Restaurant Association. Despite this, the anticipated holiday travel surge at the end of December is expected to breathe life into restaurants. Yet, the sluggish economy might mean that travellers will cut back on their food expenses, affecting average spend per customer.

 

December is a high point for tourism, and foreign arrivals are expected to further support the restaurant sector. From January to October, over 32 million foreign tourists, primarily from China, Malaysia, and India, visited Thailand, according to the Tourism and Sports Ministry. Daily arrivals could top 100,000, potentially pushing total arrivals to 35 million this year.

 

 

Despite these promising numbers, there is concern that spending will remain focused in key tourist areas, offering limited benefits to other regions. This is particularly true for Malaysian tourists, who often make brief trips and stay near southern border areas, not venturing further north.

 

Thaniwan advises the promotion of new dining districts to entice both foreigners and locals to explore beyond traditional hubs like Chinatown, Silom Road, and Khao San Road. She suggests that the Tourism Authority of Thailand could significantly aid this effort by using media and influencers to boost the appeal of these lesser-known spots.

 

Establishing dedicated food streets could enhance the appeal of these areas, Thaniwan concluded, providing substantial benefits for both tourism and the restaurant industry overall.

 

-- 2024-12-11

 

 

The people from India share everything. The people from Malaysia are just doing border runs to get some stuff cheaper than at home and stay around the border. Chinese are bussed to Chinese/Thai operated businesses and the locals are saving up, what little they have, for the next festival or concert. They have abandoned the western tourist industry for numbers sake and this is what happens.