Thailand Moves Up In The Wef Tourism Competitiveness

[george]

Thailand moves up in the WEF Tourism Competitiveness

BANGKOK: -- Thailand has seen its ranking move up three notches to 39th among 133 countries included in the third annual Travel & Tourism Competitiveness Report published by the World Economic Forum (WEF).

However, the Kingdom's overall competitiveness score is unchanged at 4.4. The maximum score possible is seven.

The rankings are based on the WEF's Travel & Tourism Competitiveness Index, which measures the different regulatory and business-related issues that have been identified as levers for improving travel and tourism competitiveness in countries around the world.

"It [Thailand] is endowed with rich natural resources and a strong affinity for travel and tourism [ranked 24th and 22nd, respectively], and with a very friendly attitude of the population towards tourists [13th]. This is buttressed by the sector's strong prioritisation by the government [12th] with, similar to Malaysia, excellent destination-marketing campaigns and good price competitiveness," the report said.

However, some weaknesses remain despite the prioritisation of the sector, it said, citing some aspects of the regulatory environment such as stringent foreign ownership restrictions, visa restrictions for many travellers and the long time required for starting a business in the country.

-- The Nation 2009-03-04

[PhilHarries]

Full listing for info : http://www.weforum.org/pdf/TTCR09/TTCR09_Rankings.pdf

[skiman1]

<deleted> is Tourism competitiveness? I see Switzerland won so it has nothing to do with being affordable - maybe this is why Thailand have just arrested a Swiss Reporter

[hardy1943]

Full listing for info : http://www.weforum.org/pdf/TTCR09/TTCR09_Rankings.pdf

All I can say the ladies rank # 1 and sure are friendly

[justanothercybertosser]

<deleted> is Tourism competitiveness? I see Switzerland won so it has nothing to do with being affordable - maybe this is why Thailand have just arrested a Swiss Reporter

Reporters are the natural enemies of the tourism industry.

[Samuian]

Well if Switzerland has made it 1st in the ranking I wonder about the criteria!

And how the poll was conducted, with whom and where!

Edited March 5, 2009 by Samuian

[Koo82]

When I read the title, what came to my mind are:

The yellows protested a week at the 2 airports in Bangkok (not to say they protested earlier at a few more airports like Phuket, Hat Yai, Krabi). 3 months later, Thailand moves up a little in a report and those who lead the protests have not received any judgment. 21 leaders only got the letters inviting them to see the Police to hear the accusation for what they did on 7 Oct. They say they'll see the Police on 30 Mar (this month) since they are not available now.

Here in Thailand they can bargain with Police and Police is so sweet to the yellows.

Nothing has been done yet to those who slept in Government House for 3 months and 2 airports in Bangkok for a week.

[londonthai]

stringent foreign ownership restrictions, visa restrictions for many travellers and the long time required for starting a business in the country.

not sure what they have to do with tourism competiveness

[Johpa]

<deleted> is Tourism competitiveness? I see Switzerland won so it has nothing to do with being affordable - maybe this is why Thailand have just arrested a Swiss Reporter

Judging from the list and the points made about Thailand, it is a list based from the perspective of the corporate tourism business to engage in the tourist business in the countries and not a list having anything to do with what tourists perceive. In other words, one of those silly lists that can be found in just about any trade journal. Note that the home base region of Diethelm Tours ranks at the top.