Thai tourism sector hopes House dissolution will boost arrivals

[webfact]

Tourism sector hopes House dissolution will boost arrivals
Bamrung Amnatcharoenrit
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- The prime minister's decision to dissolve Parliament to calm the current political chaos has come as a relief to tourism operators, according to Yutthachai Soonthronrattanavate, president of the Association of Domestic Travel, though he himself is not sure it will solve anything.

The tourism industry has felt the pinch of the protests since last month. The number of foreign arrivals between the end of November and mid-December was 400,000 short of the normal figure for this time of year. Normally, the monthly arrival figures are about 2.5 million during this period. Meanwhile the number of domestic travellers dropped by about a million, or 30 per cent of the usual total. Tourism revenue is projected to lose more than Bt4 billion in the period.

According to statistics released yesterday by theTourism and Sports Ministry, the number of foreign tourist arrivals at Bangkok's two international airports from December 1-8 fell by 14.88 per cent to 44,524, from 52,308 in the same period last year.

However, Yutthachai believes the anti-government protesters will not be satisfied with the call for new elections and will continue to rally.

He said tourism operators had stopped launching marketing promotions to attract tourists, fearing they would get nothing in return. Normally, they would spend Bt500,000 to Bt1 million on such promotions during the high season, depending on business size. Once a new government is formed, he urged that it look after the tourism industry by offering significant incentives to help them to survive.

Sugree Sithivanich, deputy governor for marketing communications of the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT), said the agency had been monitoring the situation closely. The dissolution of the House should not raise any concerns among foreign tourists.

So far, 27 TAT overseas offices have received calls from tourists about the situation in Thailand. They have not cancelled their trips, but mainly asked about road traffic and transport, as well as protective measures at the airports.

As for events scheduled for the festive season, they will go ahead as planned. However, Sugree expressed concern that the political tension would lead to violence. This could be bad for the tourism industry.

Sisdivachr Cheewarattanaporn, president of the Association of Thai Travel Agents, said if the situation gets worse, it will have an impact on Asian tourists. There are also indications that Canadian tourists are concerned.


-- The Nation 2013-12-10

[angsta]

I wouldn't get your hopes up too much guys??

Come visit Thailand - democracy is for the likes of Myanmar & Cambodia.

[kurnell]

Surely not?? Thai aren't seriously considering the welfare of tourists are they? Nest thing we know they will do something about the numerous scams, starting with the airport.

[lemoncake]

Bottom line is, this year high season has been ruined. People who planned holiday for this year have already made alternative plans.

I can say from personal experience, have never seen december to be so "empty"

From previous few years, December and January was already fully sold out, this year we are at about 50%

[klauskunkel]

Yes, come and stay at Government House, we have lots of rooms available now and you get a good discount. Check out our "stay one night, get one night free" special with breakfast!

[DocN]

I have some points on that (Like "SERIOUSLY? That is your problem right now????") but most of all: if tourism is not that important and only makes for 6% of the GDP...you are talking an awfull lot about it!

[upena]

New TAT campaign - "Amazing Camping at Government House"

[Hecate]

The government should also worry about what expats are going to do. This will affect the housing market because fewer Farang are going to be willing to put their hard-earned cash into an unstable economy.

[Bluespunk]

Yes, of course. We all know how tourists love it when intransigent political groups are fighting an election while loony fascists rant from a stage somewhere to ever dwindling yet more radicalised followers about how only he has the visionary leadership required to lead the country. Lets not forget how tourists just love red stormtroopers swooping upon their political rivals and preventing any opinion being heard but that of the PT elite. Umm that political violence just adds to the experience. And of course lets not forget how atmospheric those trucks blasting out political propaganda at all hours are, so romantic, so authentically ethnic, so "real man". And lets not forget the best bit of all, no alcohol around elections, buy in advance and get wasted throughout the night, maybe have a shoot out over a reasoned political debate, but a beer with your meal, no chance. Yes tourists just love pointless prohibition, that's why they travel you know. Yes tourism will rocket because of elections, now if only someone takes it into their head to burn something or other to the ground, well---the numbers will rise stratosphericaly.

TAT, possibly the dumbest organisation know to humanity.

Edited December 10, 2013 by Bluespunk

[Felt 35]

I have some points on that (Like "SERIOUSLY? That is your problem right now????") but most of all: if tourism is not that important and only makes for 6% of the GDP...you are talking an awfull lot about it!

Multiple that number with 4+ and we agree!

[Thai at Heart]

So now after all the fibs, they finally admit it did have an effect. Finally

[Scott]

An anti-islamic statement has been deleted.

[belg]

one day tourists may

prefer places that are closer home

and not such a political mess

its either floods or politic chaos

[GAZZPA]

I have some points on that (Like "SERIOUSLY? That is your problem right now????") but most of all: if tourism is not that important and only makes for 6% of the GDP...you are talking an awfull lot about it!

You don't seem to know anything about economics, firstly I am not so sure that it is only 6%, i think it is closer to 10%. Secondly, during the financial crisis how much GDP do you think Western countries lost? Have a look for yourself but generally the falls across individual industries were small in percentage terms, but collectively the effect was devastating.

If Thailand lose 25% of its tourism that means 2.5% loss of GDP,, this is absolutely huge amount of money and a serious blow to the economy.

Just think about how many of the locals rely on the tourist season for income.. Restaurants, condo rentals, car and bike rentals, taxis, buses, daily excursions, retail outlets etc, etc,, they will be hit very hard. These people then cut back, they do not buy a new car, neither do they go shopping so much, in general they cut back, this then creates a drop in other sales and the worst thing that can happen is that it effects the countries economic confidence / sentiment. Once this happens it is possible that everyone stops spending so much and investment drops etc, etc. Basically it can snowball easily and all triggered by the collapse of the tourist industry..

So, don't think that it is not important, it absolutely is. Thailand is already heading for a serious problem when the rice scheme finally crashes down, but at the moment the fall in exports is being hidden by the governments borrowing from the Agriculture Bank to buy the rice, sooner or later that has to be paid back. The last thing this country needs is a collapse in an industry that I believe is more like 10% of it's GDP.

[wileycoyote]

Yes ,I don't think the masses will be patient

[robinc]

I'm Canadian and if I had a trip plan I wouldn't let this stop me. As long as I can get out of the airport and to Pattaya I'd be happy. This is one Canadian tourist you don't have to worry about.

[Bender]

I have some points on that (Like "SERIOUSLY? That is your problem right now????") but most of all: if tourism is not that important and only makes for 6% of the GDP...you are talking an awfull lot about it!

You don't seem to know anything about economics, firstly I am not so sure that it is only 6%, i think it is closer to 10%. Secondly, during the financial crisis how much GDP do you think Western countries lost? Have a look for yourself but generally the falls across individual industries were small in percentage terms, but collectively the effect was devastating.

If Thailand lose 25% of its tourism that means 2.5% loss of GDP,, this is absolutely huge amount of money and a serious blow to the economy.

Just think about how many of the locals rely on the tourist season for income.. Restaurants, condo rentals, car and bike rentals, taxis, buses, daily excursions, retail outlets etc, etc,, they will be hit very hard. These people then cut back, they do not buy a new car, neither do they go shopping so much, in general they cut back, this then creates a drop in other sales and the worst thing that can happen is that it effects the countries economic confidence / sentiment. Once this happens it is possible that everyone stops spending so much and investment drops etc, etc. Basically it can snowball easily and all triggered by the collapse of the tourist industry..

So, don't think that it is not important, it absolutely is. Thailand is already heading for a serious problem when the rice scheme finally crashes down, but at the moment the fall in exports is being hidden by the governments borrowing from the Agriculture Bank to buy the rice, sooner or later that has to be paid back. The last thing this country needs is a collapse in an industry that I believe is more like 10% of it's GDP.

this is absolutely true, and this is a common mistake that come back quite often on TV forum: people do think 6% is nothing ( because they might think they still have 94 %)

NO! 6% of the gdp is HUGE, no country in the world could face a loss of 6% of his income, otherwise they will run in bankruptcy HUGE public debt.