Thailand No Longer A Destination Of Tourists And Expats?

[marsteele]

It can't be denied that sex tourism also contributes to arrival numbers. Although officially illegal, prostitution in Thailand is monitored and regulated by the government to stem the spread of STD's and to prevent excesses. Prostitution catering to foreigners is believed to be around 52% of the total prostitution scene in Thailand, and is concentrated in a few major red-light districts such as Pattaya, Patpong and Patong Beach.^[9]

Thailand has been receiving increased competition ever since Laos, Cambodia and Vietnam opened up to international tourism in the 1980s and 90s. Destinations like Angkor Wat, Luang Prabang and Halong Bay now contest Thailand's former monopoly in the Indochina region. To counter this, Thailand is actively targeting niche markets such as golf holidays, or holidays combined with medical treatment. These are especially aimed at Japan and South Korea, and in future, China and Taiwan.

The main marketing slogan for promoting Thailand internationally is "Amazing Thailand".

[Samuian]

laos was named the top tourist destination for 2009.......but i still like thailand more than anywhere in the world

by whom barry?

By the Laotian Tourism Board?

from Wikipedia:

Rank ↓ Country ↓

1 France Europe 81.9 million 79.1 million

2 Spain Europe 59.2 million 58.5 million

3 USA 56.0 million 51.1 million

4 China Asia 54.7 million 49.6 million

5 Italy Europe 43.7 million 41.1 million

6 UK Europe 30.7 million 30.7 million

7 Germany Europe 24.4 million 23.6 million

8 Ukraine Europe 23.1 million 18.9 million

9 Turkey Europe 22.2 million 18.9 million

10 Mexico US 21.4 million 21.4 million

in 1998/9 Thailand was ranking 19Th with approx. 9 Mill Arrivals that figure has grown to some 11. Mill.

for 2009 it was expected to grow to 14 Mill. - ok. no way, but the tourism market is far from dead!

International tourism receipts

International tourist receipts were USD 96.7 billion in 2007, up from USD 85.7 billion in 2006. When the export value of international passenger travel receipts is accounted for, total receipts in 2007 reached a record of USD 1.02 trillion or 3 billion a day.[4] The World Tourism Organization reports the following countries as the top ten tourism earners for the year 2007. It is noticeable that most of them are on the European continent, but the United States continues to be the top earner.

-wikipedia-

consider that Thailand has plenty of beaches and islands,

but that's including some ancient sites and temples, about it.

It's a typical, beach water sports activity related travel destination.

No great Wall, no Alhambra, no Eiffel tower, no Grand Canyon, no Parthenon,

no Trafalgar Square, no Oxford Street, no Tower, no Grachten..... yes, the Golden Temple,

the Grand Palace, Ayuthaya and Sukhothai, the Lime Cliffs in the south,

the golden Triangle, Chiang Mai's old city, Suwan Ku Ha Cave, Floating Market,

Weekend Market, Phu Kradeung National Park in Loei Province and an

abundance of other national Parks and Marine National Parks!

One may have to pay a park fee of around 4-5 Euro... Yellowstone

f.E. charges entrance fee is $25 for a private, noncommercial vehicle

Eiffel Tower 10 Euro!

Just a thought or 2 ......

Edited June 19, 2009 by Samuian

[chiangdan]

It can't be denied that sex tourism also contributes to arrival numbers. Although officially illegal, prostitution in Thailand is monitored and regulated by the government to stem the spread of STD's and to prevent excesses. Prostitution catering to foreigners is believed to be around 52% of the total prostitution scene in Thailand, and is concentrated in a few major red-light districts such as Pattaya, Patpong and Patong Beach.^[9]

Thailand has been receiving increased competition ever since Laos, Cambodia and Vietnam opened up to international tourism in the 1980s and 90s. Destinations like Angkor Wat, Luang Prabang and Halong Bay now contest Thailand's former monopoly in the Indochina region. To counter this, Thailand is actively targeting niche markets such as golf holidays, or holidays combined with medical treatment. These are especially aimed at Japan and South Korea, and in future, China and Taiwan.

The main marketing slogan for promoting Thailand internationally is "Amazing Thailand".

Does that mean that 52% of the tourists in these areas are sexual deviates and trolls, that explains why tourism is falling in these areas.

[MrJohnson]

To spite what has happened politically and I know many people are blaming the shutdown of the airport for lack of tourism but it is off season right now and the world economy is shot in general. Unemployment in the USA is higher now then during the "Great Depression" there are literally tent cities going up in the USA since the housing market crash so... it's not all about what has been done here although it didn't help matters. It is really easy to get on in this country with little hassle as long as you are obeying the law.

Right on Jungian! Stay cool, keep you head below the parapets and occasionally go back home for a reality check. For all its shortcomings this is a great place to live and tourists and the like will continue to flock here. This is a temporary glitch and I'll wager any amount with any of the doomsayers that this is not the beginning of the end of the world as we currently know it.

[spysee]

For me living in Thailand I hope tourism does die. I'm praying the red and yellow shirts come out again andboth parties shut down the airport. Ofcourse it wont be good for business in the tourist industry.