Thailand One Of The Top 10: Travel Index

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TRAVEL INDEX
Thailand one of the top 10
Bamrung Amnatcharoenrit
The Nation

S'pore, KL more competitive: TTCI

BANGKOK: -- Thailand was ranked ninth in the Asia-Pacific region and 43rd globally on the 2013 Travel & Tourism Competitiveness Index (TTCI), a study released last week by the World Economic Forum showed.

In the Asia-Pacific, Singapore held the top rank, while Malaysia took the 8th place. Only three nations in Southeast Asia - Singapore, Malaysia and Thailand - made it to the top 10 countries in the region. Indonesia held the 12th place, followed by Brunei, Vietnam at 16th, the Philippines 17th and Cambodia holding the 20th place.

Mingkwan Metmowlee, president of the Association of Thai Tourism Marketing, said this result was not surprising, especially in terms of Singapore and Malaysia beating Thailand because these two countries had achieved a world-class standard in the service industry, which attracted foreign tourists.

"Look at the safety issue, for instance. In Singapore, foreign tourists can stroll around at night without any fear. This is a result of its strong law-enforcement methods. In comparison, our country still lags far behind."

She added that Thai tourism was still plagued by problems and it was time for all parties, especially the government, to help solve the problem and boost the country's image in the world tourism map. The TTCI aims to measure the factors and policies that make it easy to develop the travel and tourism sector in different nations, in cooperation with companies and associations worldwide.

Based on three broad categories of variables that facilitate or drive travel and tourism competitiveness, they are summarised into three sub-indexes which include the regulatory framework, the business environment and infrastructure, and human, cultural and natural resources.

In global competitiveness, Singapore was placed 10th, as in 2011. The report found the island nation is among the safest economies of all assessed and has an excellent transport infrastructure. However, its weakness is price competitiveness, especially as rising hotel prices and taxes work against its key performance.

Worldwide, Thailand was ranked 43, down from 41 in 2011, which was attributed to natural disasters and political unrest. The findings showed the Kingdom's competitive edge over rivals is its rich natural resources and the population's friendly attitude toward tourists.

However, Mingkwan said that using the "Land of Smiles" moniker as a key strategy to attract tourists did not seem to be enough, because though people welcome foreign guests with a friendly smile, they do not understand the true concept of service. For instance, many of them lacked English-language skills to truly understand what the guest wants.

The report added that Thailand had other weaknesses as well, such as the lack of protection of property rights and a difficulty in setting up businesses. Also, environmental sustainability is an issue of concern.

Malaysia, meanwhile, has risen one place from 35 in 2011. This rise was attributed to its rich natural and cultural resources, price competitiveness with comparatively low fuel prices, low taxes and airport charges, and other policies supporting the tourism industry.


-- The Nation 2013-03-11

[GentlemanJim]

Talk about spin ! Shouldn't the headline read 'Thailand one of the top 43' ?

[chooka]

"attributed to natural disasters and political unrest"

They can't keep using this excuse. They have to look at some real reasons. Thailand has been taking a hammering in world press over the last 2 years especially in Australia for the murders, rapes, assaults and scams. Lets not forget the social media with things like the man from Krabi. You have Embassies banding together to speak up about issues involving thier citizens.

Natural disasters and political demonstrations would not even register on a tourists mind and even T.A.T has stated that these things are not effecting tourism. TAT are claiming that records are being broken every year so why has Thailand slipped?.

[chooka]

Talk about spin ! Shouldn't the headline read 'Thailand one of the top 43' ?

Two country prefered destination Burma/Thailand. Thailand is currently rated N# 1

[h90]

Talk about spin ! Shouldn't the headline read 'Thailand one of the top 43' ?

Two country prefered destination Burma/Thailand. Thailand is currently rated N# 1:thumbsup:

Usbekistan/Myanmar/Thailand: Thailand number 1

[chooka]

Asia/Pacific Region

1. Singapore

2. Australia

3. New Zealand

4. Japan

5. Hong Kong

6. Korean Rep

7. Taiwan

8. Malaysia

9. Thailand

10. China

Take out the Pacific Region and Thailand could move up to number 7.

http://www3.weforum.org/docs/TTCR/2013/TTCR_OverallRankings_2013.pdf

[davejones]

"attributed to natural disasters and political unrest"

They can't keep using this excuse. They have to look at some real reasons. Thailand has been taking a hammering in world press over the last 2 years especially in Australia for the murders, rapes, assaults and scams. Lets not forget the social media with things like the man from Krabi. You have Embassies banding together to speak up about issues involving thier citizens.

Natural disasters and political demonstrations would not even register on a tourists mind and even T.A.T has stated that these things are not effecting tourism. TAT are claiming that records are being broken every year so why has Thailand slipped?.

Talk about spin ! Shouldn't the headline read 'Thailand one of the top 43' ?

Because when you want publicity for your country (or for anything else), you show it at its best not it's worst. You could pull any headline apart like this. Nothing wrong with the headline.

[jamhar]

I cant disagree on trying to put a positive spin.

But I'm just glad they didnt say,

"we're above North Korea!"

9th just in asia, YIKES, lots of work needed there,

esp considering how important the tourist spending is for TL

[Locationthailand]

Not much TAT can do to improve perception. They work hard at marketing Thailand and do a pretty good job but the changes have to come from within Thailand. That usually would start with a Government creating incentives and telling Police to do their job but the whole lot is so corrupt from within, it all just disappears up its own <deleted> in a vortex of excuses.

[Payboy]

I think "top 3 in SE Asia" has a nice ring to it.

[hellodolly]

The whole thing is misleading. There is no comparison between Singapore and Thailand. The type of tourist attracted to Thailand would not really be interested in Singapore and the type of tourist in Singapore would not be really that interested in Thailand. I my self would be interested in a week in Singapore but that is because I live in Thailand. If I was still in Canada Singapore would not even be on the list of places to holiday in in fact Cambodia would be ahead of it.

If both countries had zero corruption and the BIB did there job properly it would not make any difference to a tourist who wants a subtropical location with beaches and old temples and a completely different culture.

Then you get to Malaysia it like Thailand and unlike most of the other destinations offers a sub tropical environment from Sea to forests. The cultural attractions will differ but like Thailand they are not based on western culture. Malaysia does how ever offer more English speaking opportunities like many of the other countries ahead of Thailand.

[justathought]

for sex I presume

[drdoom6996]

More sound bytes. Thailand is at the bottom of the list. And YL wants you to think she did something. Something more than nothing, that is!

[Digitalbanana]

Asia/Pacific Region

1. Singapore

2. Australia

3. New Zealand

4. Japan

5. Hong Kong

6. Korean Rep

7. Taiwan

8. Malaysia

9. Thailand

10. China

Take out the Pacific Region and Thailand could move up to number 7.

http://www3.weforum.org/docs/TTCR/2013/TTCR_OverallRankings_2013.pdf

Or if we just considered countries with the letter h in the name they'd be #2

[Westaurel]

They should better concentrate them about how to improve their country for tourists and resolve the problems instead of always claiming they are in the best ones in the touristic industry and show it as a lie (as everything is wonderful in their country).

Being bored of the thai pride thinking to be the best about everything but nothing follow ! Big promises but nothing following !

Edited March 11, 2013 by Westaurel

[Thai at Heart]

Well that is misleading headline of the year so far.

[hellodolly]

Well that is misleading headline of the year so far.

It is like a red flag for Thai bashers.

Might as well throw the Sistine Chapel in and knock it down another notch or lets get London in there. Other than the fact they are not in Asia they have as much relevance as Singapore, Australia, New Zealand and Hong Kong.

[ginjag]

I think "top 3 in SE Asia" has a nice ring to it.

They would be TOP if it wasn;t for the others

[chooka]

Well that is misleading headline of the year so far.

It is like a red flag for Thai bashers.

Might as well throw the Sistine Chapel in and knock it down another notch or lets get London in there. Other than the fact they are not in Asia they have as much relevance as Singapore, Australia, New Zealand and Hong Kong.

The story is about the Asia-Pacific countries and Australia definately is relevant or has the land down under been towed to Europe?.

Edited March 11, 2013 by chooka

[Thai at Heart]

Well that is misleading headline of the year so far.

It is like a red flag for Thai bashers.

Might as well throw the Sistine Chapel in and knock it down another notch or lets get London in there. Other than the fact they are not in Asia they have as much relevance as Singapore, Australia, New Zealand and Hong Kong.

Well I didn't bother to read it for ages, because I assumed it was tat buying another survey, so 9th in the world is feasible.

[Payboy]

I think "top 3 in SE Asia" has a nice ring to it.

They would be TOP if it wasn;t for the others

Hey, if I don't count my bad shots, I had any excellent round of golf yesterday.

[doctorproc156]

How about actually doing something about the scams that rip-off tourists (Jet ski scam, Gem scam, tuk tuk tour scam, Bus scam, Tour scam)? Then again if you think about it, it all comes down to corruption, if corruption is gone then so are all of these problems.