Focus On Quality Tourists, Not Quantity, Urges PM Abhisit

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TOURISTS

Focus on quality, not quantity, urges Abhisit

By SUCHAT SRITAMA

THE NATION

(In photo: Mayomburi, a 5-star boutique hotel, is waiting for more wealthy tourists. It is located on Khao San Road, the haven of backpackers.)

Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva has urged the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) and the private sector to focus on "quality tourists", though operators are calling on the government to improve the country's stability to raise tourist confidence.

Abhisit urged all parties in the tourism business to focus on the quality of tourists, rather than aim for high numbers.

The industry is a key sector that will help drive the economy, he said, adding that it accounted for 7 per cent of gross domestic product last year.

Last year Thailand received 15.8 million international tourists, generating income of Bt585 million, he said.

"It was a record number of tourist arrivals, despite the country facing political problems and other negative factors over the past two years," he said.

Abhisit said the tourism sector grew 7.5 per cent, while revenue was up 11 per cent.

"If we can maintain this growth, the country will have twice as many visitors within the next 10 years."

However, tourist spending per head is decreasing. Therefore, the prime minister urged all relevant organisations to focus on quality visitors, as they would bring in more income.

Suraphon Svetasreni, the governor of the TAT, said the authority had been working with operators to seek new markets and maintain key markets such as Europe, Japan, South Korea and Australia.

He said it would approach new markets such as the Middle East, East Europe, Latin America and the two emerging markets of India and China.

Suraphon said the TAT would lure new visitors by launching the "Amazing Stopover" programme to attract passengers passing through Bangkok's Suvarnabhumi Airport to stay on in the country.

The TAT will also hold roadshows in target counties such as Indonesia and even head to Africa and Russia.

However, the domestic political unrest and conflict between Thailand and Cambodia have disturbed tourism, he said.

Some governments, such as those of Australia and Taiwan, have issued travel advisories telling their citizens to avoid coming to Thailand.

To restore tourist confidence, the TAT has issued reassurances in order to maintain these two markets.

In Thailand, the TAT will encourage local people to travel to other regions all year round.

"The TAT will try to increase domestic tourism in terms of both numbers of visitors and spending," said Suraphon.

The president of the Thai Hotels Association (THA), Prakit China-mourphong, said operators wanted the government to improve stability in order to restore tourist confidence. He said key markets such as Japan, the United Kingdom, France and Italy were still very slow.

"Our tourism should grow faster than this," he said. "It is because of our problems. The private sector needs stability."

The THA predicts hotel operators will raise average room rates by 3-5 per cent this year as many hotels have been unable to do so over the past few years due to the global economic crisis and internal problems in the Kingdom.

Last year, most hotels faced a tough economic situation that forced them to lower charges.

-- The Nation 2011-03-03

[MJP]

"A smattering of Russians and no one else" was how the tourist numbers on Koh Samet were described to me yesterday. "Even the staff are getting worried", said the restaurateur of eleven years in a prime location on the island.

"Low season hasn't even begun and I've never seen it this bad, even the Scandinavians have vanished."

This is the reality and these business owners are not expecting any growth in trade for the foreseeable future, particularly now with very high oil prices on the horizon with the revolutions across the Middle East, continuing global economic turmoil and the resilient strength of the Thai Baht.

So I think they need to be concentrating on quantity. Not quite sure how you control quality unless consulate interviews are conducted to get a 30 day holiday visa.

[Siam Simon]

"Last year Thailand received 15.8 million international tourists, generating income of Bt585 million, he said."

That averages out at a tad over 37 Baht per international visitor. Is the quoted line a typo, or are the PM's advisors/scriptwriters slacking a bit?

Anyway, sad to say that Thailand (in common with just about every other country trying to entice tourists) can't be too picky at the moment.

[softgeorge]

A good start might be taking a bulldozer through places like Pattaya. Round up all the bargirls on the streets. Quality tourists don't flock to Thailand for ladyboys and the sex industry.

[jackr]

15.8M tourists or arrivals?

[Siam Simon]

A good start might be taking a bulldozer through places like Pattaya. Round up all the bargirls on the streets. Quality tourists don't flock to Thailand for ladyboys and the sex industry.

In these straightened times, that'd be a huge mistake though it makes sense as a long-term target. Fact is: 'Upmarket' Western tourists aren't travelling much at the mo; Sextourists always travel. It's not an ideal situation or long-term fix, I know. But tourist money is tourist money, and Thailand (like everywhere else) is desperate for said money right now.

[Ulysses G.]

A good start might be taking a bulldozer through places like Pattaya. Round up all the bargirls on the streets. Quality tourists don't flock to Thailand for ladyboys and the sex industry.

Thailand should not look a gift horse in the mouth. Very few "Quality" tourists are likely to bother with Thailand at all. The South of France is so much more inviting.

[endure]

If they want tourists of any description it might be a good idea not to shut the country's major international airport down in the middle of the high season

[gotte]

Now we have the same situation as a couple of years ago when the Governor of TAT said it would aim at quality tourist that stays at the bigger resorts(which means that the country side that is very depending in new incomes especially now with the prices going up). Who gains the money from that??? Why not aim at a bigger market and make it easier for the backpacker to come(they are traveling all around the country and if not spending a lot but still ...)

[chub2005]

A good start might be taking a bulldozer through places like Pattaya. Round up all the bargirls on the streets. Quality tourists don't flock to Thailand for ladyboys and the sex industry.

are you real?

[ukrules]

"Last year Thailand received 15.8 million international tourists, generating income of Bt585 million, he said."

That averages out at a tad over 37 Baht per international visitor. Is the quoted line a typo, or are the PM's advisors/scriptwriters slacking a bit?

Anyway, sad to say that Thailand (in common with just about every other country trying to entice tourists) can't be too picky at the moment.

So true, it makes you wonder if they know what the fuc_k they're actually talking about.

[samran]

A good start might be taking a bulldozer through places like Pattaya. Round up all the bargirls on the streets. Quality tourists don't flock to Thailand for ladyboys and the sex industry.

are you real?

yeah, he is being a bit unrealistic. Bulldozers would take too much time and the round up would need too many police.

Atomic bomb, much more efficient.

[onnut]

What a load of crap!

Sort out the political <deleted> they have going on in Thailand,

Then sort out the dramas in the muddle east.

Stop the volcanoes from spewing ash out.

Bring down fuel prices.

And sort out the economy in the west.

We might have a few people leaving home for there holidays then.

Let's face it, even if all the above is good, the scams over here are probably keeping many more away.

[LivinLOS]

While Thailands premier tourist island cant even tackle a few taxi drivers or thug jetski rentors they want to rebrand (in words not deeds) for quality tourists.

Real quality will come when offered real quality.. Not corrupt official burying garbage on the beaches, selling portions of public land for private use, and due to backhanders and payments allowing sections of the society to beat up and otherwise threaten those sections not yet paying. Simply raising prices doesnt attract the 5 star crowd. When Thailand has 2 star governance they will appeal to 2 star arrivals.. Asking for 5 star prices while having 2 star administration doesnt cut it.

[ib1b4]

Other than one particular resort near Hua Hin, what has this wonderful country got to offer these high end tourists , but for your average tourists there is so much to see through out all of this country.

[Orac]

A good start might be taking a bulldozer through places like Pattaya. Round up all the bargirls on the streets. Quality tourists don't flock to Thailand for ladyboys and the sex industry.

In these straightened times, that'd be a huge mistake though it makes sense as a long-term target. Fact is: 'Upmarket' Western tourists aren't travelling much at the mo; Sextourists always travel. It's not an ideal situation or long-term fix, I know. But tourist money is tourist money, and Thailand (like everywhere else) is desperate for said money right now.

The first thing to do might be to define what a quality tourist is. I would assume that one of the key factors is how much is spent and, according to a poll on another site catering specifically for pattaya more than 50% of members are spending more than 5k baht a day and this figure rises to over 75% if you look at spends of over 4k baht a day.

I am not sure how this would compare to how much other types of tourist are spending and in other areas but it this income is not something that can be ignored.

[erre191]

I always wonder what Thailand has to offer to quality tourists? Maybe cheap golf? But then, usually unfriendly,arrogant and ignorant staff in most places. Overpricing and tons of scams. Disgustingly dirty beaches, with very few exceptions. Terrible and very aggressive traffic.

:jap: My quality" friends prefer the Caribbean, The US, Australia, South-Africa, France and other places.

[jayjay0]

Now we have the same situation as a couple of years ago when the Governor of TAT said it would aim at quality tourist that stays at the bigger resorts(which means that the country side that is very depending in new incomes especially now with the prices going up). Who gains the money from that??? Why not aim at a bigger market and make it easier for the backpacker to come(they are traveling all around the country and if not spending a lot but still ...)

As you say they may not be spending a lot but what they are spending is going is not going into pockets that are already full.

It is affecting more people than the high priced hotel's and resort's.

[xeske]

555555555555555

yeah right 15.8 miljoen toerist, thats the reasson why my friend lose his job at the hotel beacause it was 50% empty

make the prices for renting and farang food higher and you gone have next year 20 miljoen

and if you give 30 bath for 1 euro i am sure you gone have 25 miljoen

i hope he believe it but he gone be the only one, i see more people leaving thailand then coming and what come

russian people .............. i gone say nothing more

[Siam Simon]

What a load of crap!

Sort out the political <deleted> they have going on in Thailand,

Then sort out the dramas in the muddle east.

Stop the volcanoes from spewing ash out.

Bring down fuel prices.

And sort out the economy in the west.

We might have a few people leaving home for there holidays then.

Let's face it, even if all the above is good, the scams over here are probably keeping many more away.

I doubt the scams are even an issue. I always big-up Thailand to friends and acquaintances as a tourist destination, whilst warning them of the local scams if they show an interest. Not one so far has shown awareness of said scams .

[leobeerman]

Thailand needs visitors with all budgets, not just the ones staying at corporate upmarket hotels. A variety of visitors provides opportunity for a wide variety of Thai businesses and vendors.

[imagemaestro]

Okay, if Thailand wants more tourists then perhaps the mildy anti - foreigner attitude needs to be buttoned up & put away by a lot of Thais. One gains the impression that many see tourists as "walking wallets" or as I heard one young group of farang call themselves "ATM's".

The land of smiles is fast becoming the land where one gains the impression that the inhabitants would be happier if we all just arrived on a plane emptied all our available money into a waiting bin and then got back on a plane leaving.

[animatic]

A good start might be taking a bulldozer through places like Pattaya. Round up all the bargirls on the streets. Quality tourists don't flock to Thailand for ladyboys and the sex industry.

Thailand should not look a gift horse in the mouth. Very few "Quality" tourists are likely to bother with Thailand at all. The South of France is so much more inviting.

And the bar girls are taller.

[lifeincnx]

15.8M tourists or arrivals?

Bingo!

The Thai tourist industry has been in decline here since 2008, and the 15.8 million number includes pass-thoughs to other country destinations. Hotel occupancy rates are abysmal (ask any of them) and this latest 'focus on quality' is lip service, plain and simple. Denial is not a river in Egypt.

[harrycallahan]

Those sex tourists spend a lot of money, more than the average backpacker. You don't find 300 baht bungalows and Samsong buckets in Pattaya. They're also the defacto welfare system for Issan single mothers and families.

If you're taking quality to mean high-end spenders then you'd be bulldozing Khao San Rd first.

[animatic]

What a load of crap!

Sort out the political <deleted> they have going on in Thailand,

Then sort out the dramas in the muddle east.

Stop the volcanoes from spewing ash out.

Bring down fuel prices.

And sort out the economy in the west.

We might have a few people leaving home for there holidays then.

Let's face it, even if all the above is good, the scams over here are probably keeping many more away.

Agreed.

Pattaya's reason for being is the least of Thailands problems tourist wise.

[hardy1943]

If they want tourists of any description it might be a good idea not to shut the country's major international airport down in the middle of the high season

Shutting down the Airport made them the laughing stock of the world and I know several people that will never ever come back here again because of it.

Then Immigration with the grumpy high and mighty attitude are no help.

[makkam]

A good start might be taking a bulldozer through places like Pattaya. Round up all the bargirls on the streets. Quality tourists don't flock to Thailand for ladyboys and the sex industry.

So in your dizzy little world, Pattaya = Thailand?

By the way have you seen how many tourists flock to Sydney and San francisco for their gay mardi gras? Oh and Hey the tourist numbers that flock to Rio's carnival have really diminished thanks to heaving mass of prozzies there.

More simplistic dross from a simpleton.

[Buchholz]

What a load of crap!

I agree regarding the quote (in quotation marks) in the thread title? Who said it?

"Read my lips: No more Cheap Charlies!"

edit... to correct to:

Who exclaimed it?

.

Edited March 3, 2011 by Buchholz

[animatic]

Thailand needs visitors with all budgets, not just the ones staying at corporate upmarket hotels. A variety of visitors provides opportunity for a wide variety of Thai businesses and vendors.

The main issue facing most of these hotels is

there are too dam_n many of them.

Oversupply makes the numbers of tourists that do show up seem even thinner on the ground each year that these locations add 10% more rooms. Then the investors get tense because the promoters were selling them on unrealistic numbers of guests and income for their 'investment'.

Now they GM's and FnB's are under the guns to make a small turn out seem to be a good year, and the heavier guns are calling their TAT buddies and whining because 'well heeled customers' are not filling their increasingly empty resorts and their investments are languishing.

Over supply and political <deleted> are the main problems for Thailand, but far from the only ones. Still over supply of over priced hotel rooms means investors are getting more and more scared, and pressuring the government to fix their screw-up in logical investment strategy.

The ones doing well are part of international chanins that spin their Thailand properties off on their existing world wide reputation and marketing plan. The local high end places are looking too local, or expecting TAT to save their bacon.

Edited March 3, 2011 by animatic