Thai - Korean Ties To Boost Tourism

[george]

Thai-Korean ties to boost tourism

South Korea and Thailand are aiming to become the world's premium tourism destinations by focusing on promoting themselves in creative ways and boosting the international cooperation.

In the "The Reinvention of Korea and Thailand in Creative Economy and Tourism" seminar held by The Nation newspaper and Federation of Thai Tourism Associations (Fetta), Korea Tourism Organisation (KTO) president Charm Lee said that Korea has potential to become the premium destinations for tourists who would like to recharge their energy.

"The travelling cost in Korea is lower than Japan and Europe . Therefore, the main challenge is how to make Korea more attractive and have higher value," he said.

To promote Korea 's tourism, the international cooperation is very important. He said that he was initiating a new kind of holiday culture, which will allow Korean people to take at least 15 days off.

"The cultural change will make them extend their stay in abroad including Thailand longer than a few days as before," he said.

However, he said one of the big problems is to make the government understand the importance of tourism industry.

The annual turnover from tourism industry in Korea is around US$9.2 billion, but the marketing budget for 2010 is only US$40 million. Although the marketing budget next year will be US$10 million higher than this year, it makes up for only 0.2 per cent of the entire turnover.

"We can spend 10 times of what we are doing now if the government wants to promote tourism seriously," he said.

Charm Lee is the first foreigner who is appointed to be the president of KTO. He was German since he was born until he changed to hold Korean nationality in 1986. Apart from his ability and knowledge in both east and west culture, Korean government also expects that he will represent its vision that wants to open the country and boost the investment from foreigners.

Meanwhile, Tourism and Sports Ministry permanent secretary Sasithara Pichaichannarong said Thailand has very high potential for promoting the spa and wellness tourism.

Moreover, under the creative economy scheme, it will also develop and promote the village-based and community-based tourism for attracting more Thai and foreign tourists.

She said it targets to attract 14 million visitors to Thailand . However, it could achieve only 12.5 million visitors in the first 11 months, down 7.3 per cent from the same period last year. She said it expects 1.5 million visitors in December this year.

"We are optimistic that the number of foreign tourists in 2010 will be higher than this year that the number of tourists fell because of the economic crisis and the country's political chaos. More importantly, the tourists are more favor to travel in the shorter distance after the economic crisis, so we will focus more on promoting Thailand's tourism in Asia such as China, Japan, Malaysia, and Korea," she said.

The most important thing to bring the tourists back is the government's stimulus package.

"The government should consider approving the budget for waiving the visa fee, landing fee, and subsidizing the hotel's discount," she said.

To promote Thailand 's tourism in Korea , she said it is trying to increase the number of Thai guides who can communicate in Korean language. Around 800,000-900,000 Korean tourists visit Thailand each year, she added.

Meanwhile, deputy commerce minister Alongkorn Ponlaboot said that the government's creative economy policy will boost the country's economic growth. Korea for instance succeeds in making added value from its culture.

"Tourism business is a part of creative economy that will drive Thailand to be sustainable economy," he said.

-- The Nation 2009-12-16

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[mrukman]

Was this before the plod impounded that korean plane for carrying arms

[khunjake]

Was this before the plod impounded that korean plane for carrying arms

That was a "North" Korean plane. This article discusses "South" Korean tourism.

[Thai at Heart]

Moreover, under the creative economy scheme, it will also develop and promote the village-based and community-based tourism for attracting more Thai and foreign tourists.

Tourism business is a part of creative economy that will drive Thailand to be sustainable economy," he said.

Is this the latest buzzword for the week. The creative economy ranges from what to "tourism". Is it everything except manufacturing?

I have a lot of friends who are Korean. We have talked many times about why Koreans come to Thailand?

1. Honeymoons - relatively reasonably priced, easy to enter because of Visas, exotic, perceived as safe until the SVB shamozzle last year which continued this.

2. GOLF, GOLF, and MORE GOLF - Mostly single blokes in groups coming to Thailand during winter or those avoiding the 200 USD green fees. Chiangmai this time last year was heaving with them, now, not. The direct flights from Seoul to CNX are ordinarily full of golfers. Purely economically related. The missus won't let hubby away for 5 days of golf because he didn't get such a big bonus this year.

I am sick and tired of TAT not knowing why people come to their country. We have 800k from Korea coming and we have a great opportunity to market spas and health clubs to them?. Koreans already believe they are fit and healthy people. Why do they want to come to Thailand for expensive back rubs???????? If the treatment doesn't include royal jelly, ginseng, garlic and kimchee, they won't take it.

What do they want? Well priced honeymoon packages and direct flight access to the golf areas for short golf holidays.

Edited December 16, 2009 by Thai at Heart

[Brunus]

"South Korea and Thailand are aiming to become the world's premium tourism destinations by focusing on promoting themselves in creative ways and boosting the international cooperation."

I don't know South Korea, but Thailand is already promoting itself in creative ways

[bkkjames]

"South Korea and Thailand are aiming to become the world's premium tourism destinations by focusing on promoting themselves in creative ways and boosting the international cooperation."

I don't know South Korea, but Thailand is already promoting itself in creative ways

I have seen all those boring "Seoul of Asia" commercials on TV and the documentaries saying Korea is much more than kimchi. Will take their word for it.

[junglist]

Won’t happen most foreigners can’t stand the color pink and the Korean Final Fantasy hair styles.Haaaa5a5555aH

[sunsamourai]

"South Korea and Thailand are aiming to become the world's premium tourism destinations by focusing on promoting themselves in creative ways and boosting the international cooperation."

I don't know South Korea, but Thailand is already promoting itself in creative ways

I'll second that !

(planting let another nail-in-the-coffin-of-the-hub-of-crackdowns-on-smiles ? )

Anyways, China is being foreseen as replacing France as the primary touristic destination in the world within a decade or so, but I haven't seen any report mentioning Thai or Korea moving dramatically up the ladder.... Another post-karaoke pre-sobering announcement from TAT ?