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Swedes Abandon Thailand As Tourist Destination

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Swedes abandon Thailand as tourist destination
BY ANDERS HOLM NIELSEN

thailand1.jpg

BANGKOK: -- The Swedes have given up on Thailand, it seems. The number of trips to what used to be a popular destination has decreased by 25 percent and has slipped from the top-ten list and now comes in at twelfth place.

The past 20 years, Thailand has been a success story when it comes to tourism. In 1992 the Swedes made over 100,000 trips there, and 10 years later in 2002, the number had doubled. 2010 peaked for Sweden-Thailand traveling with 443,000 trips, but in 2011, the number of trips had gone from 430,000 to 323,000 trips.

According to vagabond.se, one reason is probably saturation. Many Swedes have traveled to Thailand for several years and has now become curious about other places, such as the Caribbean and the United States, which travel companies are investing heavily in. Another reason is that Thailand is starting to feel exploited and “normal”, the same fate that befell Mallorca in the 1990’s.

New York has become a popular destination for Swedes, followed by Florida. Interest in the U.S. has increased for several years and has recently been further increased because of the new routes, cheaper fares and perhaps above all a strong crown and thus a cheap dollar, which has made the U.S. into a shopping paradise for the Swedes.

Source: http://scandasia.com/swedes-abandon-thailand-as-tourist-destination/

-- ScandAsia 2013-05-30

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I'll bet TAT can produce figures to the contrary, accuracy not included.

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Swedes like beaches and they used to flock to places like Phuket. But as my ex wife (Swedish) said to me, if she wanted to be surrounded by Russians she would have gone to Russia for her holiday.

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Now swedes have given up on Thailand I bet cabbages will be next, followed by the Chinese

I tend to agree that the Swedes who travel a lot might just have had enough of the holiday resorts and beaches and are seeking out other venues. Perhaps the Thai business people could look into more affordable resorts and beaches as well as off the normal track destinations.

Promote tours. I have seen as many as three tour buses from China at the same time where I live. In the 7 years I have lived here not a one farong bus. I am sure there are some out there but very few.

It has often baffled me why they have to build a five star resort and promote it. There are other resorts that are not five star but have all the amenities. These would be attractive to a lot of people who would write Thailand off as to expensive when all they see is the high end being promoted.

The Thai baht is strong at the moment but I don't think that would affect the year over all. I could be wrong on that.

  • Popular Post

I would venture to guess that the TV program coming out in Sweden showing Swedes getting hurt in Thailand will not help...

Will be interesting to see the future of tourism here. There may be a lot tourists not coming anymore due to the extreme amount of Russian tourists. I know in Pattaya right now, if the Russians went away, this place would collapse. Notwithstanding the tour buses full of Chinese people gaping out the windows. If the Russian economy tanks, so will Thailand. The danger of single country tourists. I know the raw Chinese numbers are big, but I sure do not see them spending money around.. Maybe shopping at Emporium ??

I personally think the bar beer girl business is in a decline here. The Swedes were certainly a part of that. While you can certainly argue that that direct amount of money is small in relationship to tourism overall, it is first contact for farangs and Thai girls , and the basis for the incredible amount of money that is spent and sent to Isan villages.

Edited by EyesWideOpen

I'll bet TAT can produce figures to the contrary, accuracy not included.

You beat me to it!

  • Popular Post

Swedes like beaches and they used to flock to places like Phuket. But as my ex wife (Swedish) said to me, if she wanted to be surrounded by Russians she would have gone to Russia for her holiday.

I believe the reasons mentioned in the article have some influence on the numbers, but yes, the number of Russians swarming into Thailand almost certainly is the main reason. Sure, I have no hard figures, but there is no missing the 1,000s of Russians no matter where you go.... Koh Chang, Kanchanaburi, Krabi, Pattaya, Phuket. Truth be told, most Russians make many people feel uncomfortable, myself included. While I have met a few fun/interesting independent travellers, the majority for whatever reason, want nothing to do with anyone else.

I am not surprised, the derogatory comments you over hear on flights and at immigration on arrival back in Oz would make you think nobody would come to Thailand , the comments are attributed to the normal complaints, Thai watchers know these, tourists keep coming here, It probably is money and distance. I still like the place who cares.coffee1.gif

Edited by chainarong

I was holidaying in Ao Nang Krabi in March and the place was packed with Swedes,thousands of them on the beach,in the town of a night,they were by far the most represented Europeans in the resort.

I was holidaying in Ao Nang Krabi in March and the place was packed with Swedes,thousands of them on the beach,in the town of a night,they were by far the most represented Europeans in the resort.

Ao nang at Songkran was Russian & Malaysian (you can fly direct from KL I learnt).

Nothing to do with a failing economy as in most western countries, an awful exchange rate and prices increasing fast due to popularist policies by a useless government ?

Yep the bargirl industry is failing because it's majority of clients pensions have crashed against the baht. The new money tourists here from India, China etc not spending money there. Much cheaper at home for them. Bars now a tourist attraction for backpackers, younger western couples, western women , Indians , arabs , teflers who all nurse one drink for as long as possible and don't pay bar fines.

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Tomorrow a new figure will come out from TAT saying Swed tourists have increased 25% with deaths and injuries are down 98%

Most likely a combination of all the above. Still, fads come and go, maybe in five years the Swedes will rediscover Thailand and flock back. Personally, I would keep an eye on those Ozis visiting Thailand. They seem to be causing most of the trouble.

I don't think the baht rate is a big factor, since the Swedish krona has gained almost the same. I brought my cousin here last October, she was horrified by the Russians' behavior at Koh Larn. But she liked Koh Chang.

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BAD NEWS FOR THAILAND!

Swedes have been the travel industry trendsetters since the end of the 1950ies. What they do will be followed by all other European's within a few years.

The reasons for leaving Thailand are probably a combination of the following:

  • Spain has become cheap
  • US has become cheap
  • Most Swedes are frustrated over the extremely dirty beaches and cities in Thailand
  • Most Swedes are frustrated over the extreme corruption in Thailand

I don't believe the Russians are a big problem. They are all over Europe as well.

I dont think that russians are a big factor, I go to pattaya almost every weekend and I only hav met a couple of russians, I think that the reason why aparently the number of sweedes coming to thailand has diclined is because the thai tourist market isnt so attractive as it use to be, people prefer to go to us and the caribbean specially now that the dolar is cheaper than before, Miami, and LA r by far funnier and more attractive smile.png

Edited by Om85

  • Popular Post

BAD NEWS FOR THAILAND!

Swedes have been the travel industry trendsetters since the end of the 1950ies. What they do will be followed by all other European's within a few years.

The reasons for leaving Thailand are probably a combination of the following:

  • Spain has become cheap
  • US has become cheap
  • Most Swedes are frustrated over the extremely dirty beaches and cities in Thailand
  • Most Swedes are frustrated over the extreme corruption in Thailand

I don't believe the Russians are a big problem. They are all over Europe as well.

And to add insult to injury,they're all over Mother Russia too!

  • Popular Post

Shame, it is. I enjoy seeing the Swedes and their families. Hope they come back again.

If anything is an indicator to what the Swedes think of Thailand I think this is:

"After 63 years Scandinavia's SAS will no longer serve Bangkok"

  • Popular Post

Younger Swedes are afraid to go here, fall in love, only to find out, that their future wife is the older sister of their fathers new wife ! rolleyes.gif

Time for tourist authority of Thailand to investigate the reason !

  • Popular Post

At the recent Eurovision final in Sweden, the only country that was getting BOOED by the crowd was Russia. This might be a factor.

Younger Swedes are afraid to go here, fall in love, only to find out, that their future wife is the older sister of their fathers new wife ! rolleyes.gif

I've got a bloody headache now. Thanks!

BAD NEWS FOR THAILAND!

Swedes have been the travel industry trendsetters since the end of the 1950ies. What they do will be followed by all other European's within a few years.

The reasons for leaving Thailand are probably a combination of the following:

  • Spain has become cheap
  • US has become cheap
  • Most Swedes are frustrated over the extremely dirty beaches and cities in Thailand
  • Most Swedes are frustrated over the extreme corruption in Thailand
I don't believe the Russians are a big problem. They are all over Europe as well.

That's a relief then.

Excellent news as this means there will be some nice properties coming on the market in Hua Hin.

Time for tourist authority of Thailand to investigate the reason !

Have you seen their questionnaires?

  1. Do you like Thai food?
  2. Which of the following Thai destinations do you like best?

No way any TAT staffs will ask questions that will tell WHY Swedes (and soon all other Europeans) find other destinations. And even if they ask the right questions, they will never read the results!!!

I remember 30 years ago, before Thailand became Chinese, all results of the questionnaires done by TG or TAT came out with the same answers:

  1. Beaches and girls
  2. Food and girls
  3. Mountains and girls
  4. Cheap shopping and girls
  5. Etc and etc and girls

TG sponsored movies like Emmanuelle. Thai women didn't use bra. Thai temples had Thai Buddhas, etc etc...

TG used much money promoting friendly exotic girls as their trade mark and their slogan was SMOOTH AS SILK until the Chinese women at TAT prohibited them from using girls. TG's slogan changed to "We reach for the sky" and all Thai women disappeared from their advertising. SQ said Thank you and copied the campaign with their slogan "Singapore Girl". We all know which is the most popular airline of the two today!

TG and TAT knew what sells Thailand from their research still they decided to deny the most important factor!

I don't say that using Thai women is the right thing today I just want to point on how TG and even more so, TAT read their own research.

And about China... I LOVE Chinese culture but I'm not flying to Thailand to see it!

Now swedes have given up on Thailand I bet cabbages will be next, followed by the Chinese

.....and,- just out of curiosity-which group of vegetable would you be belonging to? Cheers S

Another reason is that Thailand is starting to feel exploited

Starting? huh.png

Time for tourist authority of Thailand to investigate the reason !

Have you seen their questionnaires?

  • Do you like Thai food?
  • Which of the following Thai destinations do you like best?
No way any TAT staffs will ask questions that will tell WHY Swedes (and soon all other Europeans) find other destinations. And even if they ask the right questions, they will never read the results!!!

I remember 30 years ago, before Thailand became Chinese, all results of the questionnaires done by TG or TAT came out with the same answers:

  • Beaches and girls
  • Food and girls
  • Mountains and girls
  • Cheap shopping and girls
  • Etc and etc and girls
TG sponsored movies like Emmanuelle. Thai women didn't use bra. Thai temples had Thai Buddhas, etc etc...

TG used much money promoting friendly exotic girls as their trade mark and their slogan was SMOOTH AS SILK until the Chinese women at TAT prohibited them from using girls. TG's slogan changed to "We reach for the sky" and all Thai women disappeared from their advertising. SQ said Thank you and copied the campaign with their slogan "Singapore Girl". We all know which is the most popular airline of the two today!

TG and TAT knew what sells Thailand from their research still they decided to deny the most important factor!

I don't say that using Thai women is the right thing today I just want to point on how TG and even more so, TAT read their own research.

And about China... I LOVE Chinese culture but I'm not flying to Thailand to see it!

Chinese women prohibit anything they don't like.

Come to that, so do Chinese men.

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