Bank Of Thailand Sees Signs Of Tourism Rebound

[webfact]

Central bank sees signs of tourism rebound

By THE NATION

The Bank of Thailand is encouraged by the better-than-expected tourist arrivals in June, but concerned how long the momentum will continue.

BANGKOK: -- Deputy governor Bandid Nijathaworn referred to the Association of Thai Travel Agents' figures that during June 11-20, foreign arrivals reached 2,500 daily, compared to 1,500 during May 21-31.

"The figures are in line with bookings. Though the figures are preliminary, it reflects the better-than-expected recovery. But we need to see how long the recovery pace will continue," he said.

He noted that the number of tourists from Europe had dropped due to the European debt crisis, but Asian tourists made up for the decrease. At present, of total arrivals, Asians account for 47 per cent while Europeans for 34 per cent.

Expressing confidence in the recovery, Surreal Holidays, an independently owned and operated company headquartered in the UK, has launched its office in Bangkok to provide additional services and to give confidence to their British clientele arriving in Thailand.

"We are pleased to open our latest representative office in Bangkok. Surreal Holidays is an independently Thai-owned and operated company headquartered in the United Kingdom specialising in all inclusive luxury guided tours to Thailand. Our unique and friendly operations offer something special to niche markets. We are confident our eight classic guided luxury tours and our tailor-made dream holidays will create a real impact on tours from the UK to Thailand," said Runci Weeden, managing director.

To show their confidence in Thailand's tourism recovery, the company has arranged a private familiarisation trip for five British agents and journalists and plans more such trips to woo back British tourists.

While visiting with Tourism Authority of Thailand officials yesterday, questions focused on the political situation, the emergency decree and safety measures for tourists.

Weeden noted that few tourists learn about the government's insurance measures for foreigners. But as the protest ended, some British tourists have resumed their booking.

She said she was confident that British tourists, drawn by Surreal Tourists, should come to Thailand and spend around 2 million pounds here.

"I have visited 38 countries around the world over 30 years and I am passionate about travelling. When I travel, I use all my senses to enhance my experiences, which often become "surreal" experiences; hence the naming of our company reflects this feeling.

"Living in the UK for many years I realise that British people love to visit Thailand. Approximately 1,000,000 British visitors visit Thailand each year, and there is more room for development of this market. Thailand is the most popular tourist destination in the region in terms of tourist arrivals, at least 20 per cent ahead of its nearest competitor, and tourists stay longer. Thailand still projects a positive and exotic image that is pleasing to British travellers despite the recent political unrest in the country," Weeden said.

According to David Kevan, business development director of Surreal Holidays, the company has worked closely with TAT's United Kingdom office for various campaigns to promote Thailand. Surreal is promoting the luxury travel market, including Krabi, Samui, Chiang Mai and Samet Island.

-- The Nation 2010-06-26

[tigerbalm]

SURREAL..........Surreal in general means bizarre or dreamlike.

Surreal Holidays...Says it all realy,

[rkidlad]

I've always been quite partial to the old adage 'seeing is believing'

[Pib]

Positive spin by the government and a tourism company; what else would a person expect whether it's true or not.

[dancep]

I left at the end of April and plan to come back in the fall. Thailand is no longer on the news, I assume things are sort of back to 'normal' for now?

[longtom]

I hate advertising disguised as news.

[kuffki]

Bank of Thailand? What does BOT have to do with tourism?

[1weatherman]

I left at the end of April and plan to come back in the fall. Thailand is no longer on the news, I assume things are sort of back to 'normal' for now?

I think the Brits working for this company would say things are more "Surreal" now in Thailand. And this is a cheesy way to get free advertising.

[Changian]

So unlike The Nation to take a press release and try to pass it off as serious 'news'. Why would they do that?

BANGKOK 25 June, 2010 – Surreal Holidays, a UK tourism specialising in up-market travel to Thailand, hosted a lavish bash in Bangkok last evening to launch its first programmes.

Active for just five months, the company is owned and managed by a Thai-UK citizen, Runci Weeden, who led a team of executives and invited media from the UK for the two-day launch.

It sponsored three journalists on a free junket to attend the launch, rented an exclusive venue, Chakrabongse Villa on Bangkok’s river side and hosted a river cruise with dinner for 45 representatives of up-market hotels, TAT officials and media. The gig was estimated to have cost at least Bt1 million.

(From TTRWeekly.com)

Ahh, free food, that explains it.

[alant]

interesting maths

1,000,000 Brits a year visit Thailand = 2740 per day about 10 plane loads although the recovery has lead to tourist figures of 2500 daily 34% of which were European.

does anyone ask about such discrepancies prior to printing

[COXYATCITY]

Positive spin by the government and a tourism company; what else would a person expect whether it's true or not.

I AM SURE A LOT MORE PEOPLE WOULD COME IF THEY DEVALUED THE BAHT A BIT,BEER IS EXPENSIVE,NOW MUCH CHEAPER IN THE U.K,THAN HERE,AS WHERE IT USED TO BE THE OPPOSITE,,HOTELS HAVE PUT UP THERE PRICES,THAILAND IS NOT SO AFFORDABLE,FOR THE AVERAGE WORKING FAMILY ANYMORE??

Edited June 27, 2010 by COXYATCITY

[Thaihog]

Bank of Thailand? What does BOT have to do with tourism?

what do you expect from a rag like the Nation.....

[eggomaniac]

interesting maths

1,000,000 Brits a year visit Thailand = 2740 per day about 10 plane loads although the recovery has lead to tourist figures of 2500 daily 34% of which were European.

does anyone ask about such discrepancies prior to printing

They counted the ones that astral travel, surreally.

[MAJIC]

interesting maths

1,000,000 Brits a year visit Thailand = 2740 per day about 10 plane loads although the recovery has lead to tourist figures of 2500 daily 34% of which were European.

does anyone ask about such discrepancies prior to printing

Correct Alant.

Before I got half way through the article I had already mentally calculated the gist of what turned out a stupid,outlandish,ridiculous,nonsense claim,and I refused to insult myself by consulting my calculater.

Using 13,000,000 million Tourist a year, as they normally claim.What halfwit worked this out?

[alant]

interesting maths

1,000,000 Brits a year visit Thailand = 2740 per day about 10 plane loads although the recovery has lead to tourist figures of 2500 daily 34% of which were European.

does anyone ask about such discrepancies prior to printing

They counted the ones that astral travel, surreally.

[bkkjames]

Bank of Thailand? What does BOT have to do with tourism?

what do you expect from a rag like the Nation.....

Unless the tourists we bringing in bags of Baht  - they would likely have to change foreign currency at a BANK - and just a stretch but perhaps BOT would somehow be able to monitor this.

Don't quite your day jobs 

[Ricardo]

interesting maths

1,000,000 Brits a year visit Thailand = 2740 per day about 10 plane loads although the recovery has lead to tourist figures of 2500 daily 34% of which were European.

does anyone ask about such discrepancies prior to printing

They counted the ones that astral travel, surreally.

Wonder what sort of visa astral-travellers might require ? Visa-on-non-Arrival perhaps ?

[Thai at Heart]

Even dead cats bounce, if you drop them from high enough.

[LomSak27]

Even dead cats bounce, if you drop them from high enough.

Thought for the day! Thanks