The Miracle Years Of Amazing Thailand: TAT Sets Ambitious Goal To Double Tourist Arrivals

[Angelo99]

I'm sure they mean double the number of Russians. Pretty easy. Set up more scammy travel agencies in Russian and the Ukraine. Double the number of flights and offer discounts.

Won't make em much though. Only paces that will make any money are the places serving Russian food and the big resorts they're booked into on discounted package deals. Although, for every 3-4 Ruskies, that's like one beer sold by a bar. Good times ahead, lol.

[normac44]

So looking at some stats I wonder if they count all people coming in to the Country as tourists.

Let's say that on a given day 1000 people already living in LOS have to cross the border somewhere to re-new their visa.

When they return is this counted as new visitors?? just a thought.

[siamjimi]

This will never work unless the Thais would treat their visitor as guests, e.g. not ripping them off in every possible situation, robbing and killing them and police and immigration treat them fairly >>> Overstay in paradise: Swede with heart disease thrown in prison. Read that article, it will make you understand that this anticipated doubling of tourist arrivals is not very likely to happen anytime soon.

Remarkable - I was about to write the same as you DARIO - unless there are major changes in the Thai attitudes - stop ripping all the Farang off - stop being 3 faced about everything - stop treating the Farang as Elephant Dung - this money being allocated to increased the tourism is like giving money to a crakhead - its all going up in smoke in a matter of minutes - this money ought to pad a lot of political party pockets

[oMega69]

After 7years Holiday here in Thailand Iam moving to South America insteed . ,

Thailand aint same as it was before . , it have lose its charm overall .

[osiboy]

Is the Formula 1 motor racing taking place on the streets of Pattaya?

Now that would be interesting....

The bib setting up a road block Jomptien- asking Webber for tea money

they would have to catch him 1st

nobody has said the F1 is coming to thailand, they have only said they would use it to advertise "miracle" thailand,........DOH !

[Member]

Funny if you have just read this

http://www.thaivisa....eans-of-travel/

--

In this series:

'Thailand Tourism Department Plans To Spruce Up Tourist Destinations'

'Thailand plans health measures after tourist deaths'

Thailand To Crackdown On Illegal Casinos'

'Ministry reveals plan to promote medical tourism'

'Thailand's National Tourism Development Plan'

'Ministry of Tourism and Sports plans to open two new departments to fit long-term strategies to build tourism intelligence and data.'

'Strategic Plan to Drive Thailand's Tourism Growth'

'TAT sets ambitious goal to double arrivals'

:sleepy:

Edited September 9, 2011 by metisdead
Use default forum font when posting.

[ginjag]

Nice weather, cheap food, interesting entertainment, aggressive tuk tuk drivers, corrupt immigration officials, inefficient public transport, jet-ski scams, food-poisoning, drugs: What's not to love?

The dirty beaches

The tropical paradise and crystal clear Pattaya water, Corruption on a laughable scale, and most of all all them ex pats that should leave instantly ===as things aint what they used to be== and the forced 90 day reporting, I don't understand why if TAT says the tourism is increasing so much (But quiet all over the country) Why are they having to ask for billions to promote when your tearing up trees as it is--near best Airport--near best city BKK--low prices--national carrier low priced-- (to promote) HaHa. The slogan should read--Smack em when they arrive and smack em when they leave.

[osiboy]

Nice weather, cheap food, interesting entertainment, aggressive tuk tuk drivers, corrupt immigration officials, inefficient public transport, jet-ski scams, food-poisoning, drugs: What's not to love?

The dirty beaches

ERRR......double pricing, bribery, extortion , pick-pocketing LBs, non existent hygiene, dirty streets , soi dogs , corruption , thieving prostitutes , dirty beaches , dangerous roads , dangerous pavements, minimum H&S in hotels, ......dont like these much either , even the smiles seem to be few and far between in recent times,..yet we still luv it.....MKJ !

[Arkady]

"Prakit Phiriyakiat, deputy governor for marketing communications, said that at least seven big events have already been lined up over 15 months to attract foreign tourists. Listed participating events are Formula 1 motor racing, the football league in the United Kingdom, Snow Festival in Sao Paolo, Thailand Golf Open and Australian Open."

I must be missing something here because I am at a loss to understand why those events (all bar one) that take place outside Thailand will attract tourists to Thailand.

[Oberkommando]

.I think countries like Vietnam,Malaysia and Indonesia have MUCH MORE to offer as TOURIST destinations.

None of those countries are even close to Thailand as a tourism destination, and I'm a frequent visitor to all three.

Maybe in 10-15 years Vietnam might have improved and Cambodia that you neglected to mention is certainly fun but no other country in the region has the pull of Thailand for the tourist.

[rubl]

I'm not going to read all seventy replies. If this question has been asked before I apologise.

With doubling of arrivals from 15M now to 30M in 2014 I wonder if Thailand has the infrastructure in place to cope with these arrivals? Won't the airport be a bit overcrowded? Where are all these people staying, traveling to, wanting to visit, etc., etc.?

Any study done on these aspects, or do we just go for growth and worry about minor details later ?

[tigermonkey]

"Prakit Phiriyakiat, deputy governor for marketing communications, said that at least seven big events have already been lined up over 15 months to attract foreign tourists. Listed participating events are Formula 1 motor racing, the football league in the United Kingdom, Snow Festival in Sao Paolo, Thailand Golf Open and Australian Open."

I must be missing something here because I am at a loss to understand why those events (all bar one) that take place outside Thailand will attract tourists to Thailand.

I think that they are implying that they will advertise at these events. Common, you're not a newbie -- you know how to read Nationese I hope -- example 2 + 2 = 22 or 'x' ( your choice - put any value for 'x' which suits your fancy) )

[robsamui]

Nice weather, cheap food, interesting entertainment, aggressive tuk tuk drivers, corrupt immigration officials, inefficient public transport, jet-ski scams, food-poisoning, drugs: What's not to love?

The dirty beaches

ERRR......double pricing, bribery, extortion , pick-pocketing LBs, non existent hygiene, dirty streets , soi dogs , corruption , thieving prostitutes , dirty beaches , dangerous roads , dangerous pavements, minimum H&S in hotels, ......dont like these much either , even the smiles seem to be few and far between in recent times,..yet we still luv it.....MKJ !

Oh golly gosh - this surely is some third world country you're describing . . .

[tigermonkey]

I'm not going to read all seventy replies. If this question has been asked before I apologise.

With doubling of arrivals from 15M now to 30M in 2014 I wonder if Thailand has the infrastructure in place to cope with these arrivals? Won't the airport be a bit overcrowded? Where are all these people staying, traveling to, wanting to visit, etc., etc.?

Any study done on these aspects, or do we just go for growth and worry about minor details later ?

Infrastructure will begin to be adjusted as and when it becomes necessary ( that means profitable) -- for a study of this technique, have a look at the timimg of the improvements of carrying capacity of the Sukhumvit Line in BKK>

Edited September 9, 2011 by tigermonkey

[fxe1200]

I'm sure the doubling of the numbers will already be announced before 2014. :jap:

...only if they have a calculator at hand.

[wileycoyote]

In the light of belt-tightening recession/recovery in Europe & the US where are these travellers coming from ?

Moreover,Thailand is not such a bargain as it used to be ,so will not attract they same volume /mix of tourists as before.

I think that even half these figures will be difficult to achieve

[tragickingdom]

Should not be too difficult. They will give a stamp for just 7 days in case you use a land crossing and 15 days at an airport. You immediately get results. People check in and out and are counted as new arrivals.

[alanferdi]

Amazing Thailand - TAT or those promoting Tourism do not seem to get it

yes you can double the amount of Tourist coming into Thailand by bringing in bus loads of Chinese and Indian on package tours. The figures will convince just those counting heads! However if you are to look at the type of tourist that comes in the ratio of what they would spend here is where the truth lies. One average European, American or Australian Tourist would spend the same amount 10 Indians or chinese would in a day. So who are they trying to fool.

Look at Pattaya. You have a "7Eleven" tourist who wishes to rent his own bike to get around. This leaves many Bars, Hotels and Services dwindle down.

well, there's a Half A Billion Baht gone.

.

I hate to be negative, but wouldn't it be a lot cheaper to just reverse some of the stupid tourist visa regulations that they recently added?

..Or perhaps stop requiring their tourists to go to a neighboring country anytime they want an extended visa to stay longer in Thailand.

Why spend so much money when there are dozens of practically free solutions to the problem...

[ROMANOBA]

Quality tourism= lack of infrastructure, zero english skills, lack of competitiveness ( for top end accomodations, other asian countries are better)

Quantity tourism= too many hassles with visa, bath too strong, idiotic drug policy.

Keep things relaxed,easy and simple, with a touch of exotic sleaziness and tourists will come...

TAT marketing always makes me wonder about how often the strategy team must change.

The past 2 or 3 years they have been ranting about "Quality tourists not quantity" and then they move on to creating a target of doubling the gross tourist arrival numbers. Also their definition of "Quality tourists" revolves around short term (1 - 2 week) punters that stay in 5 star hotels in Hua Hin, Phuket etc. On the other hand other government departments are attempting to have policies that encourage (many) tourists to visit non- tourist destinations, for example Issan

So which is it?

[Tokay]

I only come to Thai Visa these days for the comedy. It's a laugh a minute.

[ginjag]

Quality tourism= lack of infrastructure, zero english skills, lack of competitiveness ( for top end accomodations, other asian countries are better)

Quantity tourism= too many hassles with visa, bath too strong, idiotic drug policy.

Keep things relaxed,easy and simple, with a touch of exotic sleaziness and tourists will come...

TAT marketing always makes me wonder about how often the strategy team must change.

The past 2 or 3 years they have been ranting about "Quality tourists not quantity" and then they move on to creating a target of doubling the gross tourist arrival numbers. Also their definition of "Quality tourists" revolves around short term (1 - 2 week) punters that stay in 5 star hotels in Hua Hin, Phuket etc. On the other hand other government departments are attempting to have policies that encourage (many) tourists to visit non- tourist destinations, for example Issan

So which is it?

Take a look over the threads covering a year or so, Quality = big numbers = family = O.T.O.P. shops = 70% reductions in Bkk malls = country areas-culture = encourage family style resorts = never will they ever get a response until Tourist corruption and scams are eliminated .They are too blind to see-because of their jobs are forever secure.

[HOOD Robin]

well, there's a Half A Billion Baht gone.

.

I hate to be negative, but wouldn't it be a lot cheaper to just reverse some of the stupid tourist visa regulations that they recently added?

..Or perhaps stop requiring their tourists to go to a neighboring country anytime they want an extended visa to stay longer in Thailand.

Why spend so much money when there are dozens of practically free solutions to the problem...

Unfortunately i'm afraid this really is asked way TOOOO much to a bunch of incapable people in Bangkok (and other places all over the Kingdom).

There is a saying :"After action there will be a (positive) re-action" ; But i really never see this happen in a "democracy" with so many low educated people (or they think they are not low educated) on top of the corruption gang, and then the sub top and then the sub-sub top..... Poor Thailand

So please, forget the wishful thinking "....when there are dozens of practically free solutions to the problem."

[Pib]

The Tourism Authority of Thailand yesterday unveiled its latest marketing campaign, dubbed "The Miracle Years of Amazing Thailand", tasked with doubling both arrivals and income by 2014.

This would indeed be a miracle to increase tourist arrivals and income by 100% in only three years. Most worldwide tourist locations struggle and are pleased to get 3-5% growth per year. But hey, miracles can happen....but I'm not holding my breath that TAT's campaign (prayer) for a 100% increase will occur in 3 years.

[stiggy]

Our company relies on tourism both international and domestic .

Most international customers over 90% love it hear, none go on about the points we all whinge about on here.Such as tuk tuks,taxis ,visa,etc

The biggest gripe is the cost nowadays due to Thai bht being to high.

Any investment to increase tourism is welcome to us and our tourism based customers.

Of course the actual figures claimed by TAT are unrealistic, but again better then the silence and non action of recent years in this sector.

Edited September 9, 2011 by stiggy

[Crushdepth]

The Tourism Authority of Thailand yesterday unveiled its latest marketing campaign, dubbed "The Miracle Years of Amazing Thailand", tasked with doubling both arrivals and income by 2014.

This would indeed be a miracle to increase tourist arrivals and income by 100% in only three years. Most worldwide tourist locations struggle and are pleased to get 3-5% growth per year. But hey, miracles can happen....but I'm not holding my breath that TAT's campaign (prayer) for a 100% increase will occur in 3 years.

Pray harder.

[Canexpat]

After spending a year travelling throughout Thailand, I found it amazing that in a country that advertizes itself as a tourists paradise, I did not find one stream, river or body of water that was safe to drink from. Come to think of it, I did not visit one city or village where it was safe to drink tap water.

I only spent one week in Pattaya, and 2 weeks in Patong (Phuket), and found the smell of both those places reminded me of the times I helped family or friends back in Canada drain their septic tanks.

My first tuk tuk drive ended up with me being punched out by the driver after I hesitated paying the 300 baht he asked for, after he initially agreed on a price of 200 bht. (This occured on the 10th day of my holiday, which was my first night in Patong. I never took another tuk tuk in Thailand after that experience.) The next day I reported the incident to the police and had the tuk tuk's liscence plate number, and 2 eye witnesses to the crime, one of them observant enough to write down the liscence plate. Rather than taking down the information and pursuing my assaulter, as would have been done in every other country I have vacationed in, the police took me for a 1 hour ride throughout Patong, asking me to identify the tuk tuk. After about 50 minutes I realized this was probably the 2nd stupidest thing I had agreed to do in my life, and that the police had no intent to prosecute the tuk tuk driver, and could actually be placing me in jeopardy. That if we had found the driver, he could identify me and knew where I lived.

After relating this incident to my best friend back home who had been travelling to Thailand regularly for 8 years, and owned property in Hua Hin. He told me to get the h-ll out of Patong, and go to Hua Hin. I took his advice, moved to Hua Hin where I rented a house near the King's summer palace, and very close to the beach. Less than a week later my wonderful neighbour Alan Quicke was murdered in his own home. A few days after this my landlord's friend was murdered by his wife of 12 years, her brother and her lover. Even though she and her accomplices were caught, the wife was allowed to keep all she inherited from the husband she had conspired to murder to get his money, business and property. A few days after this an Australian tourist was murdered by a pair of ladies or ladyboys (to my knowledge the case was never solved) who had slipped something in his drink in one of the late night Karaoke bars with the intent to rob him once he passed out. Unfortunately the drug he was given was too much for his system and age, and he fell dead 200 feet from the Karaoke bar, after he left to go home claiming he felt woozy. Three foreigners murdered in Hua Hin in 10 days.

I had originally intended to buy land and retire in Thailand like my best friend. I owned shares in an oil company operating in Thailand, and mining companies in neighbouring countries. After my visit to Thailand and my experiences there, I sold off all my shares in the oil company I owned. I am sure there are foreigners who have lived many years in Thailand without negative incidents, but I did not meet any person who once I had related my personal experiences to them did not shower me with stories even more gruesome and disconcerting.

After my experience in Thailand, I would recommend that rather than spending money on trying to simply increase yearly tourism quotas, that Thailand focus its monies and resources on making Thailand a safer place for tourists to visit and foreigners to live and invest. That Thailand do something to clean up its ecology and corruption, and educate its population not to discriminate against foreigners by charging them double to visit museums and aquariums and the like, and its police force to not target people based on their skin color.

One thing my time in Thailand has taught me is to truly appreciate my home province of British Columbia, its governments mandate to preserve and improve its ecology. Where the lakes rivers and streams I would not hesitate to drink from or eat the fish I catch therein. To appreciate its diverse population where discrimination is criminal and strongly enforced. Where a police officer who accepts a bribe would swiftly be fired and face jail time.

I have no plans to ever return to Thailand, and have dissuaded many friends from vacationing there.

[noitom]

Like most Thai "strategies" - it's putting a little lipstick on the pig and some freshly skimmed money. The big 64,000 question is regardless of name and slogan, can the girls of Thailand bring it home for yet another decade. Hats off to the girls, the real "backbone" of Thailand.

[HerbalEd]

How about loosening Thailand's visa regulations...

Did you read the article?

[happysanook]

make it twice as difficult to apply for the tourist visa, yet expect twice the tourists

[yellow1red1]

Breathe fresh COAL DUST in the Ancient Capital of Ayuthya! Watch the barges from Indonesia wind their way through BKK! A SIGHT to behold!