TAT Lowers Tourist Arrival Target For 2009

[webfact]

TAT lowers arrival target

By SUCHAT SRITAMA

THE NATION

Published on November 30, 2009

The Tourism Authority of Thailand has revised downward its projected tourist arrivals for this year from 14 million to 13.7 million due to the economic crisis and the Kingdom's political problems, newly elected governor Surapol Svetasreni said yesterday.

"If the internal political tensions do not worsen and the global economy does not deteriorate further, the TAT expects to reach 13.7 million international arrivals this year, lower than the initial projection of 14 million," said Surapol.

From January to the end of September, the country received 9.8 million tourists, so it will need to attract 3.9 million in the last quarter to reach the new target.

Surapol added that the TAT would target short-haul Asian tourists in December and early next year with attractive package offers.

"Advance bookings are still slow, so the TAT will encourage late bookers to come to Thailand," he said.

Despite the authority's efforts, many in the private sector feel it will be difficult to reach the new goal.

Surapol, however, remained upbeat. "The TAT will spend extra marketing funds to encourage tourists to visit," he said.

Prakit Chinamourphong, president of the Thai Hotels Association, said the target was too high. It is projecting tourist arrivals to reach somewhere in the vicinity of 12 million.

Hotel operators in major tourist destinations have reported a drop from 2008. Only Phang Nga has seen an increase in advance reservations.

Prakit said the sector needed help from the authority to attract tourists, and urged the TAT to talk with operators and revise its short-term marketing plans.

Virote Sitprasertnana, president of the Thailand Tourism Network Association, said the tourism sector was still struggling with the effects of the global economic crisis and internal political instability.

Kongkrit Hiranyakit, chairman of the Tourism Council of Thailand, suggested the TAT use new technology to lure tourists from around the world in these tough times.

-- The Nation 2009/11/30

[newsfooter][/newsfooter]

[LawnGnome]

Cue the Chicken Littles.

[PhilHarries]

Cue the Chicken Littles.

Don't you mean barbeque?

These people are like estimators and planners the world over. Come up with a plan, estimate, and continually adjust it until on the last day it agrees exactly with reality. Then organise a party where everyone congratulates each other on a job well done.

[Pdaz]

They're deluded... They have scared away the long termers with confusing visas.. the strong baht has bu**ered many retirees plans and the World economy has done the same to many others holiday plans.. Then we have the political mess and all the bad press regarding rapes, murders and scams... 14 mil ? unlikely usless they manage to attract even more of the low rent 'quality tourists' from India, China, Arabia and the former Soviet Union and Russia.. Good luck.. None of the above are easily led, Jai Dee or good tippers...

[mahtin]

TAT should talk to AOT.

AOT's operating results this year would be the worst since Suvarnabhumi opened in September 2006, due to the global economic crisis and domestic political problems, he said.

Passenger arrivals are expected to drop by 10 per cent from the targeted 41 million to 38 million.

[Bagwan]

Quote Kongkrit Hiranyakit, chairman of the Tourism Council of Thailand, suggested the TAT use new technology to lure tourists from around the world in these tough times. Unquote

- The Nation 2009/11/30

Use robots to dragoon rich farang tourists to come? Introduce powerful mind changing drugs into the water supply in developed countries? Purchase a few thousand

transporters as used in the Starship Enterprise? I await developments with interest. What is the next bright idea I wonder. A big marketing scheme in Zimbabwe?

-

[doggie888888]

They're deluded... They have scared away the long termers with confusing visas.. the strong baht has bu**ered many retirees plans and the World economy has done the same to many others holiday plans.. Then we have the political mess and all the bad press regarding rapes, murders and scams... 14 mil ? unlikely usless they manage to attract even more of the low rent 'quality tourists' from India, China, Arabia and the former Soviet Union and Russia.. Good luck.. None of the above are easily led, Jai Dee or good tippers...

Some Chinese tourists I know stay at the Banyan Tree. What makes you think EVERYONE from those countries you mentioned are "low rent"? And even if they were, some will be travelling 5 star in future...as in the case of backpackers of today. And if they are indeed so low rent, I wonder why so many countries are courting these tourists? Go to the Banyan Tree and The Oriental, and see for yourself how many "low rent" Chinese, Indians, mid-Eastern and Russians stay there and ask the hoteliers in the high end sector where the growth is coming from.

[PhilHarries]

So one location, the Banyan Tree, is representative of the Thai tourist business?

So there's no problem.

[Otis]

They're deluded... They have scared away the long termers with confusing visas.. the strong baht has bu**ered many retirees plans and the World economy has done the same to many others holiday plans.. Then we have the political mess and all the bad press regarding rapes, murders and scams... 14 mil ? unlikely usless they manage to attract even more of the low rent 'quality tourists' from India, China, Arabia and the former Soviet Union and Russia.. Good luck.. None of the above are easily led, Jai Dee or good tippers...

Don't forget, these same people eat very little. My anecdotal evidence is a lack of customers at the noodle carts around Pattaya. For that matter, don't forget low libidos. Again the evidence is a lack of customers at the bars around Pattaya. My observations were back in August (2009). (There is humor and truth here.) Chewit Dee, Lao Tae Khun OC

[tracer]

Cue the Chicken Littles.

Don't you mean barbeque?

These people are like estimators and planners the world over. Come up with a plan, estimate, and continually adjust it until on the last day it agrees exactly with reality. Then organise a party where everyone congratulates each other on a job well done.

It doesnt matter who they are but in my opinion if they say they drop arrivals by 20% + they are likely STILL too high.

Its stupid but living in phuket it seems to me totally impossible to get ANY high season...

If people wanted to come here they already should have tickets... If not sold, forget tourists, they arent coming!! And with travel insurance even THAT is not sure...

They should ban all those stupid red or yellow or whatever colour Tshirt demonstration's till tourist's have gone home.

[PhilHarries]

Again the evidence is a lack of customers at the bars around Pattaya. My observations were back in August (2009). (There is humor and truth here.) Chewit Dee, Lao Tae Khun OC

I was there August and September and it was dead as a dodo, however I passed through mid October and it had noticeably picked up so there is hope.

That was the good news.

The bad news is that any improvement in numbers looks good when the starting point is zero.

[doggie888888]

So one location, the Banyan Tree, is representative of the Thai tourist business?

So there's no problem.

No that's not what I said but you can interpret whatever you want from my post.

[tavarich]

Does this news mean that prices will go up to make up for the lack of people, again??????????????????????

[dumball]

People , who needs people ? It is a case of simple math .

10 rooms taken at B1000 = B10,000

5 rooms taken at B2,000 = B10,000

Nobody ever teach you Thai logic ?

Edited November 30, 2009 by dumball

[LaoPo]

"The Tourism Authority of Thailand has revised downward its projected tourist arrivals for this year from 14 million to 13.7 million due to the economic crisis and the Kingdom's political problems, newly elected governor Surapol Svetasreni said yesterday."

1. When does the TAT start with transparency details on a month-to-month basis with easy access to it's numbers for everybody who's interested, instead of dropping a total number now and then when it suits them ?

2. If someone see those numbers (especially the expats) it's hard to believe that more than 55% of the total tourism to Thailand is coming from East Asia: meaning: 7,981,025 tourists (from 2007 numbers when Thailand had 14,464,228 tourists).

25,5% is from Europe and the rest is divided by The Americas -just 5,65%- South Asia -4,74%- Oceania -5,06%- Middle East -3,14%- and a few from Africa.

This number contains also more than 3,2 million so called "tourists" from countries like Malaysia, Burma, Singapore, Cambodia, Laos and Vietnam; hardly the kind of tourist the western expat has in mind when he thinks of tourists.....

Also: those numbers include many repeating travelers from the Asean countries, especially also from Malaysia who cross the borders in the South (Hat Yai is a frequent visited city for sex tourists from Malaysia, already since decades)

Also: the total number (14,4 Million) include tourists who travel also to Laos, Burma, Malaysia, Cambodia etc. but land first in BKK or Phuket (for instance); the total number also include many expats/visa travelers, crossing the Thai borders multiple times per year.

IMO the total number of REAL TOURISTS is not more than 7 to 8 million; maybe 9...... and so much for the Blah-Blah from TAT

International_Country_2007.XLS International Tourist Arrivals to Thailand by Country of Residence - JANUARY > DECEMBER 2007

LaoPo

[sotsira]

People , who needs people ? It is a case of simple math .

10 rooms taken at B1000 = B10,000

5 rooms taken at B2,000 = B10,000

Nobody ever teach you Thai logic ?

The remaining few tourists will be in for some hefty room bills then

[alobar]

"Chewit Dee, Lao Tae Khun"

Still working on my Thai: Is that essentially; choosing the good life is up to you?'

[kampengphetklaus]

"The Tourism Authority of Thailand has revised downward its projected tourist arrivals for this year from 14 million to 13.7 million due to the economic crisis and the Kingdom's political problems, newly elected governor Surapol Svetasreni said yesterday."

1. When does the TAT start with transparency details on a month-to-month basis with easy access to it's numbers for everybody who's interested, instead of dropping a total number now and then when it suits them ?

2. If someone see those numbers (especially the expats) it's hard to believe that more than 55% of the total tourism to Thailand is coming from East Asia: meaning: 7,981,025 tourists (from 2007 numbers when Thailand had 14,464,228 tourists).

25,5% is from Europe and the rest is divided by The Americas -just 5,65%- South Asia -4,74%- Oceania -5,06%- Middle East -3,14%- and a few from Africa.

This number contains also more than 3,2 million so called "tourists" from countries like Malaysia, Burma, Singapore, Cambodia, Laos and Vietnam; hardly the kind of tourist the western expat has in mind when he thinks of tourists.....

Also: those numbers include many repeating travelers from the Asean countries, especially also from Malaysia who cross the borders in the South (Hat Yai is a frequent visited city for sex tourists from Malaysia, already since decades)

Also: the total number (14,4 Million) include tourists who travel also to Laos, Burma, Malaysia, Cambodia etc. but land first in BKK or Phuket (for instance); the total number also include many expats/visa travelers, crossing the Thai borders multiple times per year.

IMO the total number of REAL TOURISTS is not more than 7 to 8 million; maybe 9...... and so much for the Blah-Blah from TAT

International_Country_2007.XLS International Tourist Arrivals to Thailand by Country of Residence - JANUARY > DECEMBER 2007

LaoPo

And from these 7-9 million, maybe 2 million are going to the neighbors...Laos, Cambodia and Vietnam

[dumball]

='alobar' date='2009-11-30 22:31:43' post='3174931']

"Chewit Dee, Lao Tae Khun"

Still working on my Thai: Is that essentially; choosing the good life is up to you?'

That surely would all depend on what you mean by 'The good life ' .

[PXR5]

The title should have been : A coffin full of nails and no tourists !

... I was first ...

[dumball]

Yes , they have pulled those nails and used them so often of late , they are all bent and gone rusty , ah well , when one lies he only fools himself .

[zink]

2. If someone see those numbers (especially the expats) it's hard to believe that more than 55% of the total tourism to Thailand is coming from East Asia: meaning: 7,981,025 tourists (from 2007 numbers when Thailand had 14,464,228 tourists).

25,5% is from Europe and the rest is divided by The Americas -just 5,65%- South Asia -4,74%- Oceania -5,06%- Middle East -3,14%- and a few from Africa.

This number contains also more than 3,2 million so called "tourists" from countries like Malaysia, Burma, Singapore, Cambodia, Laos and Vietnam; hardly the kind of tourist the western expat has in mind when he thinks of tourists.....

Huh? Do you mean that a westerner living in Germany doesn't think he is a tourist when we visits France or Poland!?

There is nothing strange or confusing in those number. Thailand is a Asian country, it's natural that most of tourist come from Asia. Similarly, world's most popular tourist country is France in Europe, and most of tourists coming to France come from Europe, instead of Americas, Asia, or Africa.

When making those statistics, I guess that everyone who says that he is a tourist in the immigration card is counted as one. There is no way to easily get an accurate number otherwise.

[LaoPo]

2. If someone see those numbers (especially the expats) it's hard to believe that more than 55% of the total tourism to Thailand is coming from East Asia: meaning: 7,981,025 tourists (from 2007 numbers when Thailand had 14,464,228 tourists).

25,5% is from Europe and the rest is divided by The Americas -just 5,65%- South Asia -4,74%- Oceania -5,06%- Middle East -3,14%- and a few from Africa.

This number contains also more than 3,2 million so called "tourists" from countries like Malaysia, Burma, Singapore, Cambodia, Laos and Vietnam; hardly the kind of tourist the western expat has in mind when he thinks of tourists.....

Huh? Do you mean that a westerner living in Germany doesn't think he is a tourist when we visits France or Poland!?

There is nothing strange or confusing in those number. Thailand is a Asian country, it's natural that most of tourist come from Asia. Similarly, world's most popular tourist country is France in Europe, and most of tourists coming to France come from Europe, instead of Americas, Asia, or Africa.

When making those statistics, I guess that everyone who says that he is a tourist in the immigration card is counted as one. There is no way to easily get an accurate number otherwise.

Comparing a German tourist, visiting another European country, driving in his Benz or BMW with a Malaysian, Burmese or Laotian and Cambodian "tourist" is a bit odd, don't you think

Maybe you've never heard of Thailand's neighboring country-"tourists" who indeed cross the borders but not exactly as a tourist but just for any other reason ?

That's why I wrote: "...hardly the kind of tourist the western expat has in mind when he thinks of tourists....."

Personally, I never met a tourist from one of those countries, relaxing on a beach in Thailand or visiting one of the thousands of temples....let alone driving in a nice Toyota or other Japanese car.

LaoPo

[alexth]

14 mil ? 13.7 mil? They must be dreaming...6 or 7 mil, MAYBE!!!

[LaoPo]

^^^^

Are you dressing up for war against me -the messenger about Thai inbound tourism- or are you up for a war against the whole world ?

BTW: please read this and # 2 in particular:

http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/Forum-Netiquette-t254949.html

LaoPo

[Pdaz]

They're deluded... They have scared away the long termers with confusing visas.. the strong baht has bu**ered many retirees plans and the World economy has done the same to many others holiday plans.. Then we have the political mess and all the bad press regarding rapes, murders and scams... 14 mil ? unlikely usless they manage to attract even more of the low rent 'quality tourists' from India, China, Arabia and the former Soviet Union and Russia.. Good luck.. None of the above are easily led, Jai Dee or good tippers...

Some Chinese tourists I know stay at the Banyan Tree. What makes you think EVERYONE from those countries you mentioned are "low rent"? And even if they were, some will be travelling 5 star in future...as in the case of backpackers of today. And if they are indeed so low rent, I wonder why so many countries are courting these tourists? Go to the Banyan Tree and The Oriental, and see for yourself how many "low rent" Chinese, Indians, mid-Eastern and Russians stay there and ask the hoteliers in the high end sector where the growth is coming from.

Having lived/worked in China and worked in Russia I'm well aware there are wealthy people in both countries.. But still a very small proportion and unlkely to visit Thailand more than once.. If you want to see rich Russians and Chinese you should visit Dubai and London.. They may come once.. But I doubt they will return.. There are too many other places to visit and they are new to travel... Two weeks in Phuket... then off to book up somewhere else.. Yes there is a growing market for the newly wealthy rooskies and chinamen... But Thailand isn't doing much to attract them.. and then scams many of the ones that do arrive... I don't think they (the Thais) are doing themselves any favours in the long run..

[Thai at Heart]

2. If someone see those numbers (especially the expats) it's hard to believe that more than 55% of the total tourism to Thailand is coming from East Asia: meaning: 7,981,025 tourists (from 2007 numbers when Thailand had 14,464,228 tourists).

25,5% is from Europe and the rest is divided by The Americas -just 5,65%- South Asia -4,74%- Oceania -5,06%- Middle East -3,14%- and a few from Africa.

This number contains also more than 3,2 million so called "tourists" from countries like Malaysia, Burma, Singapore, Cambodia, Laos and Vietnam; hardly the kind of tourist the western expat has in mind when he thinks of tourists.....

Huh? Do you mean that a westerner living in Germany doesn't think he is a tourist when we visits France or Poland!?

There is nothing strange or confusing in those number. Thailand is a Asian country, it's natural that most of tourist come from Asia. Similarly, world's most popular tourist country is France in Europe, and most of tourists coming to France come from Europe, instead of Americas, Asia, or Africa.

When making those statistics, I guess that everyone who says that he is a tourist in the immigration card is counted as one. There is no way to easily get an accurate number otherwise.

Counting immigration cards is probably the least accurate way there is of accounting for people who have come into the country for tourism. Every businessman coming to Thailand for one day of meetings also fills out that he is a tourist.

They have the sections on the cards, which no one ever bothers to fill out or calculate. Knowing whether a person is a genuine holidaymaker, businessman, visa runner, or transit person is extremely important when people are trying to invest in tourism businesses. One of the most obvious screw ups is the enormous investment in 5 star hotels that has gone on in Chiangmai which are operating at way below capacity trying to sell a very premium product that no-one wants nor will many people want for a considerable time. These investments trying to sell rooms at 10k per night were dubious before the crash. Just look at the Amari and Holiday Inn about to or just come online in Pattaya. I wouldn't want to be holding the bills for those right now. The profiling of tourists drives these decisions and I don't see that relying on overland tourists from Malaysia drove those types of investment decisions.

Not many people invest in hotels in Thailand simply for business traffic, so knowing how many genuine holiday makers come to the country, how long they stay, where they go and how much they spend is much more important than knowing how many people enter from Singapore for a one day trip to have a meeting. One type of traveller is much more sensitive to his travel needs than another. Surveys of the beach resorts and cities outside Bangkok would be much more accurate in evaluating true tourists than one agglomerated figure from immigration cards.

True tourists into Thailand 8mn approx probably.

Anybody for another spa/health resort with sparse furnishing and expensive back rubs and over priced club sandwiches running at 30% occupancy?

Edited December 1, 2009 by Thai at Heart

[Pdaz]

2. If someone see those numbers (especially the expats) it's hard to believe that more than 55% of the total tourism to Thailand is coming from East Asia: meaning: 7,981,025 tourists (from 2007 numbers when Thailand had 14,464,228 tourists).

25,5% is from Europe and the rest is divided by The Americas -just 5,65%- South Asia -4,74%- Oceania -5,06%- Middle East -3,14%- and a few from Africa.

This number contains also more than 3,2 million so called "tourists" from countries like Malaysia, Burma, Singapore, Cambodia, Laos and Vietnam; hardly the kind of tourist the western expat has in mind when he thinks of tourists.....

Huh? Do you mean that a westerner living in Germany doesn't think he is a tourist when we visits France or Poland!?

There is nothing strange or confusing in those number. Thailand is a Asian country, it's natural that most of tourist come from Asia. Similarly, world's most popular tourist country is France in Europe, and most of tourists coming to France come from Europe, instead of Americas, Asia, or Africa.

When making those statistics, I guess that everyone who says that he is a tourist in the immigration card is counted as one. There is no way to easily get an accurate number otherwise.

Not to mention the thousands of young Malaysians who cross the boarder every weekend to get drunk, laid etc in the Karaokes and Massage parlors located near the border.. Yes they are tourists.. sex tourists But counting the same guy over and over again every weekend does tend to cook the books a bit. Likewise the thousands of border runners and travellers heading thru .. Once again it's all down to face.. Thailand would never admit they have cooked their golden goose.. Turned lovely beach paradises into over developed slums.. poluted the water, stacked the roadsides with trash and pissed alot of visitors off with doube pricing, scams, tailors, traffic jams, rudeness and violence... The internet and communication has made many of their traditional customer base aware...

My own ancedotal evidence is the lack of shirtless pissed farangs in the beach side bars of Pattaya when I go for my morning run.. It's December but the bars are still empty.. In the past they were full of all night and early morning revellers... No more.. High season will only be a week long this year.. 24th Dec to 2nd Jan.. enjoy !

[madmitch]

So targets have been lowered so that the TAT doesn't fail to meet the original targets.

If only all businesses worked like that!

Judging by the numbers on Bangla Road the other day, previous comments about Pattaya and also what I have been told about Bangkok by expat friends, real tourism is well down compared to this time last year.

[pampal]

2. If someone see those numbers (especially the expats) it's hard to believe that more than 55% of the total tourism to Thailand is coming from East Asia: meaning: 7,981,025 tourists (from 2007 numbers when Thailand had 14,464,228 tourists).

25,5% is from Europe and the rest is divided by The Americas -just 5,65%- South Asia -4,74%- Oceania -5,06%- Middle East -3,14%- and a few from Africa.

This number contains also more than 3,2 million so called "tourists" from countries like Malaysia, Burma, Singapore, Cambodia, Laos and Vietnam; hardly the kind of tourist the western expat has in mind when he thinks of tourists.....

Huh? Do you mean that a westerner living in Germany doesn't think he is a tourist when we visits France or Poland!?

There is nothing strange or confusing in those number. Thailand is a Asian country, it's natural that most of tourist come from Asia. Similarly, world's most popular tourist country is France in Europe, and most of tourists coming to France come from Europe, instead of Americas, Asia, or Africa.

When making those statistics, I guess that everyone who says that he is a tourist in the immigration card is counted as one. There is no way to easily get an accurate number otherwise.

Comparing a German tourist, visiting another European country, driving in his Benz or BMW with a Malaysian, Burmese or Laotian and Cambodian "tourist" is a bit odd, don't you think

What's odd is mentioning the cars that tourists drive. Do all German tourists drive on holiday as opposed to taking a train or flying, and if so, do they all drive a Benz or BMW

Maybe you've never heard of Thailand's neighboring country-"tourists" who indeed cross the borders but not exactly as a tourist but just for any other reason ?

You mean like the German and Belgian "tourists" that drive into the Netherlands to buy drugs and then cross back into their respective countries.

That's why I wrote: "...hardly the kind of tourist the western expat has in mind when he thinks of tourists....."

Personally, I never met a tourist from one of those countries, relaxing on a beach in Thailand or visiting one of the thousands of temples....let alone driving in a nice Toyota or other Japanese car.

So because you didn't see them , does that mean they don't exist. Oh, by the way, some tourists actually fly into Thailand instead of driving.

LaoPo

Edited December 1, 2009 by pampal