Pattaya Maps Plan For Tourism Revival

[george]

Pattaya maps plan for tourism revival

20,000 free rooms first big promotion

PATTAYA: -- Pattaya is struggling after the April protests that resulted in the collapse of the Asean summit, so local administrators and businesses are stepping up promotions to lure back tourists.

Pattaya Mayor Itthiphol Khunplome said the city asked for 100 million baht from the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT), the local administration and private operators to stimulate the industry.

"Before red-shirted protesters forced the cancellation of the Asean Summit after they stormed the meeting site, foreign and Thai visitors were still visiting Pattaya as usual despite the economic recession," said the mayor. "But after the unrest, tourism nosedived, particularly among foreigners."

Average occupancy at the 60,000 hotel rooms in Pattaya has fallen to 30-35% compared with 50-60% last year.

Mr Itthiphol expects foreign visitors will drop by 500,000 this year from 5.5 million in 2008, with revenue falling 17% to 40 billion baht. Thai visitor revenue is forecast to drop to between 600 million and 750 million baht from 1.2 billion a year earlier.

Pattaya City recently set up a tourism committee to work on confidence-building and marketing activities as well as participate in roadshows abroad.

The committee also wants to persuade the government to hold more meetings and seminars in Pattaya.

The first activity his month features a promotion with 20,000 free hotel rooms. Private operators are also offering discounts for entertainment and services between May and July.

For the international market, Thai Airways International and some low-cost airlines will offer special discount packages covering accommodation and air tickets for two or three nights.

From August to January, activities will focus on foreign visitors with a Korean festival, Asean Week, Loy Krathong festival, music and sports events.

The city also backs the upgrading of U-Tapao airport. The Royal Thai Navy has sought 995 million baht from the government to build new parking facilities and a passenger terminal to double capacity.

-- Bangkok Post 2009-05-18

[Rimmer]

Well that's all right then, the arrival figures will be back on budget in no time at all

[JR Texas]

Well that's all right then, the arrival figures will be back on budget in no time at all

It is a shame that the people who develop "the plan" do not study what has worked in other countries and model it.

(If they do, they certainly don't understand what they are reading.)

Successful countries (in terms of tourism) target low, middle, and high income tourists.

Thais just don't get it and probably never will.

[sanmiguel]

The city also backs the upgrading of U-Tapao airport. The Royal Thai Navy has sought 995 million baht from the government to build new parking facilities and a passenger terminal to double capacity.

-- Bangkok Post 2009-05-18

After landing there in November theyll need billions to make it an operational airport, Swampy is in a good enough location for Pattaya.

What they ought to do is plan where buildings are going to go and make sure they arent built right next to each other so you can view gardens and greenery and not a wall 5 metres away upon waking up ..... and have some other form of entertainment in the centre of town that doesnt involve the flesh trade or shopping ......... dam too late for that.

[duceahearts]

great idea "The first activity his month features a promotion with 20,000 free hotel rooms" how do I get one, where do I sign up?

[Humphrey Bear]

Buy five - get one free. all for the agencies.

[surayu]

Buy five - get one free. all for the agencies.

mmm... somehow this quote remind me of a packet of shaving rasors i have seen on the shelf at Central, where the "extra" free 1 rasor was promptly charged by the clever management, possibly some greggy's relative, did they all went to the same business school over here?

[Lancelot]

Pattaya gets 5.5 million visitors per year? I wonder if day trips are counted? Anyway, in the past Thailand has reported 14 to 15 million visitors, so Pattaya is getting roughly a third of the total. No wonder it gets busy here

[Ohio]

Pattaya gets 5.5 million visitors per year? I wonder if day trips are counted? Anyway, in the past Thailand has reported 14 to 15 million visitors, so Pattaya is getting roughly a third of the total. No wonder it gets busy here

And if you are gullible enough to believe those figures , I have some acreage in Florida I will sell very Cheeeeaaaapppp!

By the way -----You can see it at low tide