Thailand to cash in on holiday cruise business

[webfact]

Thailand to cash in on holiday cruise business
By English News



BANGKOK, AUG 13 – Thailand is tapping the holiday cruise service sector as a new revenue generating business for the country, a senior Commerce Ministry official said.

Srirat Rastapana, director general of the International Trade Promotion Department, said the holiday cruise business has enjoyed an annual growth of 4.6 per cent.

Cruise line companies have expanded their routes and ships to keep up with the rapid growth offering services to a number of countries in Asia including China, Japan, Taiwan, India and Thailand in the next five years.

The largest number of tourists visited Thailand via two major cruise lines – Royal Caribbean and Princess Cruise (Carnival) – mainly between November and March. Each liner accommodates about 3,000 passengers.

Ms Srirat said each passenger spends at least Bt6,000 per day and stays on shore at an average three to four days per visit, generating an annual revenue at Bt2.2 billion.

It is quite possible that major cruise liners add Thailand to their holiday itineraries thanks to the kingdom’s reputable attractions, she said.

She said Thailand should penetrate the new market by facilitating visitors with a one-stop service “Cruise Terminal” and other relevant services including customs procedures, accommodation, restaurants, transportation, tour guides, souvenir shops and onshore excursions.

According to a 2012 report, the US holiday cruise service generated direct and indirect revenues at US$42 billion (Bt1.26 trillion) with more than 17 million customers.

The average income of cruise holiday-maker was US$109,000 (Bt3.27 million) per family and the cruise service created 356,311 jobs. (MCOT online news)


-- TNA 2013-08-13

[OzMick]

Perhaps a reminder is required as to why some cruise lines avoid Phuket.

[Payboy]

They can start by issuing a Thailand Elite card to Schettino, so that he can come train the locals.

[Bluespunk]

"She said Thailand should penetrate the new market by facilitating visitors with a one-stop service Cruise Terminal and other relevant services including customs procedures, accommodation, restaurants, transportation, tour guides, souvenir shops and onshore excursions."

Not sure why but the image of cattle being herded in, milked dry and rushed out once they are dry, springs to mind when I read this. Could be the fact that money to be extracted rather than quality of experience seems to be theme of this article.

Edited August 13, 2013 by Bluespunk

[WinnieTheKhwai]

Perhaps a reminder is required as to why some cruise lines avoid Phuket.

Why is that?

[Pimay1]

Perhaps a reminder is required as to why some cruise lines avoid Phuket.

Why is that?

These are some of the reasons. All 53 can be seen by following the link.

Phuket Tuk-tuk Driver Attacks French Family for parking in ‘wrong place

Thaivisa: Tuk Tuks clearly a bane to Phuket tourism

Tourist Belted By Tuk Tuk Driver

http://notesfromthelandofsmiles.wordpress.com/2011/08/29/53-reasons-to-avoid-phuket-patong-and-tourist-tuktuks/

[petedk]

Some tourists spend 6000 baht a day.

Yes, the first thousand goes to the illegal taxis.

Sent from my GT-N5100 using Thaivisa Connect Thailand mobile app

[zydeco]

"She said Thailand should penetrate the new market by facilitating visitors with a one-stop service Cruise Terminal and other relevant services including customs procedures, accommodation, restaurants, transportation, tour guides, souvenir shops and onshore excursions."

--Where I come from, that's called a cattle chute. Line 'em up, force 'em through, dip 'em, brand 'em, and then let 'em loose in the corral, right before you ship 'em off to the stockyard.

[WinnieTheKhwai]

Perhaps a reminder is required as to why some cruise lines avoid Phuket.

Why is that?

These are some of the reasons. All 53 can be seen by following the link.

Phuket Tuk-tuk Driver Attacks French Family for parking in ‘wrong place

Thaivisa: Tuk Tuks clearly a bane to Phuket tourism

Tourist Belted By Tuk Tuk Driver

http://notesfromthelandofsmiles.wordpress.com/2011/08/29/53-reasons-to-avoid-phuket-patong-and-tourist-tuktuks/

That's not something that would be of any concern to quality tourists.

[OzMick]

Perhaps a reminder is required as to why some cruise lines avoid Phuket.

Why is that?

These are some of the reasons. All 53 can be seen by following the link.

Phuket Tuk-tuk Driver Attacks French Family for parking in ‘wrong place

Thaivisa: Tuk Tuks clearly a bane to Phuket tourism

Tourist Belted By Tuk Tuk Driver

http://notesfromthelandofsmiles.wordpress.com/2011/08/29/53-reasons-to-avoid-phuket-patong-and-tourist-tuktuks/

That's not something that would be of any concern to quality tourists.

"The Silver Spirit, launched in 2009, is regarded as one of the world's top 10 luxury cruise liners"

Not exactly a garbage scow.

[trainman34014]

Be positive; once Bangkok sinks these Ships will be able to navigate a lot further inland to bring financial assistance to the more deserving low so Natives.

[sjjmmi]

Be positive; once Bangkok sinks these Ships will be able to navigate a lot further inland to bring financial assistance to the more deserving low so Natives.

+2

[h90]

"She said Thailand should penetrate the new market by facilitating visitors with a one-stop service Cruise Terminal and other relevant services including customs procedures, accommodation, restaurants, transportation, tour guides, souvenir shops and onshore excursions."

Not sure why but the image of cattle being herded in, milked dry and rushed out once they are dry, springs to mind when I read this. Could be the fact that money to be extracted rather than quality of experience seems to be theme of this article.

I have that feeling at all tourism related news from government (and I don't think specifically this government, most or all Thai governments).

I am surprised that no one got the idea that the tourists should just transfer the money from their home country and don't come at all.

[Pimay1]

Perhaps a reminder is required as to why some cruise lines avoid Phuket.

Why is that?

These are some of the reasons. All 53 can be seen by following the link.

Phuket Tuk-tuk Driver Attacks French Family for parking in ‘wrong place

Thaivisa: Tuk Tuks clearly a bane to Phuket tourism

Tourist Belted By Tuk Tuk Driver

http://notesfromthelandofsmiles.wordpress.com/2011/08/29/53-reasons-to-avoid-phuket-patong-and-tourist-tuktuks/

That's not something that would be of any concern to quality tourists.

You're funny.

[monkeycountry]

"It is quite possible that major cruise liners add Thailand to their holiday itineraries thanks to the kingdoms reputable attractions, she said."

Is she referring to the phuket taxi mafia who illegally and forcefully blocks the cruise ships while the authorities do nothing? Well I suppose you can call that a "reputable attraction" :-D

[metisdead]

A post in violation of fair use policy has been removed. It is generally accepted, but not written into law, that quoting the first two or three sentences of an article and giving a link to the source is considered “fair use” and not a violation of copyright.

Some trolling posts have been removed as well.

[harrry]

How would they get to chiang mai???

high speed rail

[jpeg]

Perhaps a reminder is required as to why some cruise lines avoid Phuket.

Together with the once lovely port of Ao Chalong now having been turned into a demolition site with only a string of skank bars full of unpleasant pissed up whores left.

I've avoided joining in the general savaging of this once lovely island (bar for gripes at the lack of affordable local transport), up until today. But having witnessed the devastation of just this one area in so short a time, I won't be visiting any of my once favourite spots here again. It's heartbreaking.

[monkeycountry]

"It is quite possible that major cruise liners add Thailand to their holiday itineraries thanks to the kingdoms reputable attractions, she said."

Is she referring to the phuket taxi mafia who illegally and forcefully blocks the cruise ships while the authorities do nothing? Well I suppose you can call that a "reputable attraction" :-) It is definately an attraction unique to Thailand :-)

[jpeg]

"It is quite possible that major cruise liners add Thailand to their holiday itineraries thanks to the kingdoms reputable attractions, she said."

Is she referring to the phuket taxi mafia who illegally and forcefully blocks the cruise ships while the authorities do nothing? Well I suppose you can call that a "reputable attraction" :-) It is definately an attraction unique to Thailand :-)

When the rest of the world thinks of Thailand's reputation, the tuk tuks are NOT the first thing that springs to mind.

[jalansanitwong]

This is hilarious. Imagine the huge tuk tuk rank waiting for the cruiser to berth with all its cashed up farangs on board. 1,500 baht ride to town pay now ... cruiser farang !

tuk tuk thugs will be sacking the staterooms will everyones on land. The Thais will steal the ships anchor and sell it to recyclers up at Rayong. What a mess.

[PoodMaiDai]

I wonder if the Tuk Tuk drivers will let the people off the boat like they did the military boat a while back.

[monkeycountry]

"It is quite possible that major cruise liners add Thailand to their holiday itineraries thanks to the kingdoms reputable attractions, she said."

Is she referring to the phuket taxi mafia who illegally and forcefully blocks the cruise ships while the authorities do nothing? Well I suppose you can call that a "reputable attraction" :-) It is definately an attraction unique to Thailand :-)

When the rest of the world thinks of Thailand's reputation, the tuk tuks are NOT the first thing that springs to mind.

Probably not, but it is definately something that springs to the mind of the cruise director who is in charge of avoiding trouble on behalf of his guests and also in charge of deciding where to go. The same goes for the captains/admirals on the us navy ships.

Further, not being able to disembark in Phuket due to the taxi mafia, probably will be the first thing that springs to mind when the cruise guests get back home and tell all their friends about their trip.

Edited August 13, 2013 by monkeycountry

[Pimay1]

How would they get to chiang mai???

high speed rail

With special prepared lunch boxes.

[madmitch]

They are now clutching at straws to find a way to reach the 2 trillion tourist spending target for 2015.

[monkey4u]

A one stop shop sounds great

Ship stops at port

Tourists head to gangway to disembark

Tourists place ALL their money in box and return to cabin and pose for photo

Money is divided by tuk tuk's, jet ski and taxi operators

Perfect holiday

[marell]

Perhaps a reminder is required as to why some cruise lines avoid Phuket.

Why is that?

These are some of the reasons. All 53 can be seen by following the link.

Phuket Tuk-tuk Driver Attacks French Family for parking in ‘wrong place

Thaivisa: Tuk Tuks clearly a bane to Phuket tourism

Tourist Belted By Tuk Tuk Driver

http://notesfromthelandofsmiles.wordpress.com/2011/08/29/53-reasons-to-avoid-phuket-patong-and-tourist-tuktuks/

That's not something that would be of any concern to quality tourists.

Good point.

[LuckyLew]

How would they get to chiang mai???

high speed rail

I thought the high speed rail was only for fruit and vegetables

so they can be exported faster

[harrry]

How would they get to chiang mai???

high speed rail

I thought the high speed rail was only for fruit and vegetables

so they can be exported faster

How can they sell the lunch boxes to fruit?

[Neilly]

Posted Today, 10:18

Thailand to cash in on holiday cruise business

By English News

It's not going to be long before some bright spark in the government suggests buying some cheap second-hand cruise ships off China so they can skim more

Along these lines...