Yingluck worried about impact of crisis on tourism sector

[webfact]

PM worried about impact of crisis on tourism sector
Bamrung Amnatcharoenrit,
Pichaya Changsorn,
Nakarin Srilert
The Nation


An Asian tourist buys garlands from a vendor to worship the Hindu creation god Brahma at the Erawan Shrine in Bangkok. The popular tourist attraction of Erawan Shrine caters mostly to Asian tourists and Thais who believe in the Hindu deitys power

BANGKOK: -- Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra is concerned about the adverse impact of the current political crisis on the tourism sector, which is expected to suffer losses of Bt18 billion in January with visitor numbers estimated at 2.1 million in the month, short of the 2.5 million target, according to the Tourism Council of Thailand (TCT).

The premier convened a meeting yesterday with the National Economic and Social Development Board, the Tourism and Sports Ministry, the Federation of Thailand Industries (FTI), and the TCT to discuss the impact of the political demonstrations.

TCT president Piyaman Tejapaiboon said Yingluck was concerned about the impact of the political situation on the tourism sector. Due to the prolonged political rally in January, the TCT expects the tourism sector to suffer losses in January of around Bt18 billion. Visitor numbers are expected to decline to 2.1 million from the target of 2.5 million, a 15 per cent drop.

If the political situation does not turn violent, revenue of at least Bt2.05 trillion (Bt1.35 trillion from foreigners) could be achieved during the year while the number of tourists could reach 29.9 million.

Supawan Tanomkieatipume, chairwoman for public relations at the Thai Hotels Association, who attended the tourism industry's meeting with Yingluck yesterday told The Nation that while assuring tourism business operators there would be no violence, the premier asked the hoteliers to prepare well for the situation. Supawan said Bangkok was expected to experience a 50-per-cent drop in tourist arrivals during January 12-14 and 30 per cent for the whole month.

However, the tourism situation in other provinces remained good, except Pattaya which has been slight affected, as some tourists have bypassed Bangkok and moved to other destinations such as Phuket and Chiang Mai, she said.

"Everyone is now waiting to see what's going to happen on January 13. If there is no violence, they [tourists] will return quickly," said the THA chairwoman.

Yutthachai Soonthornrattanavate, president of the Association of Domestic Travel, said Thailand's outbound tourism has also been affected as there are fewer chartered planes flying in the country during this period and hence there are fewer planes available to serve outbound travellers.

So far, the overall impact on the tourism industry is not too harsh because the country has many upcountry tourism spots that have gained in popularity like Chiang Mai, a favourite destination among Chinese travellers, he said.

Despite being plagued by the ongoing political turmoil, the MICE (meetings, incentives, conventions, and exhibitions) industry outlook in the long term is projected to be still positive, thanks to the country's strong economic fundamentals. However some businesses would be hit, especially meetings and tourism incentive groups, according to industry executives.

Patrapee Chinachoti, president of Thai Exhibition Association, viewed the overall trade exhibition business as still good in the long run. Clearly, exhibitors viewed Thailand's economy would keep growing. The decision to do business with Thailand was not based only on political problems. Thailand still offers business opportunities, and many would seek a foothold.

The current political movement is still acceptable as there has been no violence and clashes between groups. Also, exhibitors understand the situation, as they have learnt from the previous ones.

As a result, he expected the trade exhibition business to grow about 20 per cent this year, on the assumption that the stalemate would not continue until March. If the stalemate prolongs, it would make exhibitors less confident, especially to invite participants and they may postpone their events.

Clearly at present, exhibition space has been booked continuously and the venue rate is going up. There is no cancellation from exhibitors. The industry has not suffered much during this time from the political demonstrations because the peak business season is from May to December.

However, some may face problems in inviting participants; some events may not become a big success. The problem is partly from lower purchasing power, not only politics. A motor expo was held during the end of November and early December last year as example.

However, Sumate Sudasna, president of Thailand Incentive and Convention Association, said the industry has been hit by the political problems since last month. The meetings and incentive sectors have lost Bt300 million revenue due to cancellation and postponement of events.

This group is sensitive to political chaos, as portrayed by the mainstream media. Media have reported a negative picture of the political situation with pictures of use of tear gas to disperse protesters.

If the protest is not violent and is generally peaceful, then the association would make a big attempt to communicate the positive side of the demonstration to keep the country's image.


-- The Nation 2014-01-10

[jaltsc]

"Despite being plagued by the ongoing political turmoil, the MICE (meetings, incentives, conventions, and exhibitions) industry outlook in the long term is projected to be still positive..."

It's not the MICE in the tourism sector that should be of concern. It's the RATS in the government that present the biggest problem.

[JoeThePoster]

No worries, Noi and her sisters from the PTP voter base will make it bounce back right after all this blows over.

[dave2]

re

some tourists have bypassed Bangkok and moved to other destinations such as Phuket and Chiang Mai, she said

wrong !

chiang mai has hardly any tourists at the mo

dave2

pics taken on wendsday

[Artisi]

No worries Chalerm will sort it in no time.

[LuckyLew]

With issues in Bkk and many points South, why would people visit Thailand?

Seems trouble is around every corner ... starting next week the reds will be protesting many points North ...

Why would you risk a ruined holiday by spending it in Thailand?

So many other great travel options available

Hey Yingluck ... Your flight to Dubai is boarding now

[noitom]

Yingluck like all Thais and the Thai press are in total denial that the sex trade and prostitution, counterfeit goods are the main draws of Bangkok. Who do they think that they are fooling? Everyone knows that Thailand is the world's house of ill repute.

[NongKhaiKid]

Oh please YL, just consult TAT and they will put you right.

[Rob8891]

re

some tourists have bypassed Bangkok and moved to other destinations such as Phuket and Chiang Mai, she said

wrong !

chiang mai has hardly any tourists at the mo

dave2

pics taken on wendsday

The Chinese have stayed away en masse just now, but many hotels are still overflowing.... The one where I live, for instance, is turning folk away almost daily, tuktuks of hopefuls arrive at the door regularly. A pal has had one heck of a job to find accommodation for visiting friends, so CM isn't dying on its feet yet, though I'll grant you it is quieter than usual for just now..

[madmitch]

They really don't have a clue. If there's no violence next week they expect tourism to return to normal overnight?

Phuket, Chiang Mai etc may be OK at the moment but what about the future? Those potential tourists booking their winter holiday after Christmas will not choose Thailand over other countries because of the political uncertainty. The Caribbean, Central America, Africa and other parts of Southeast Asia will have their tourist numbers boosted as hundreds of thousands of people choose to avoid Thailand.

Most of the tourists here at the moment would have booked long ago.

Regardless of whether the political situation improves or not, Thailand should expect a significantly reduced number of tourists in February and March.

[Shamrock 1234]

Many hotels in Koh Samui report full occupancy, and the manager of a well known resort states he feels tourist numbers have returned to the highs of circa 2007. It's not all bad, you know!

[trainman34014]

No crisis in her tourism sector; she can go shopping anywhere in the World that she wants to. Best thing she can do for the rest of us is...STAY THERE !

[Nickymaster]

Has Yingluck ever been worried about the rice industry that has been destroyed by her policy that has cost the taxpayers 800 billion.

This hypocrite is always worried about actions from others, but never worried about the consequences of her own failures.

Edited January 10, 2014 by Nickymaster

[jpeg]

It never ceases to amaze me that on the one hand posters are constantly decrying mass development and despoilation of the environment, particularly like places on Phuket and Samui and then, out they all come with the upside down 'smilies' whenever there's a report of a drop in tourism Good! Let them bugger off and go have the locals ruin somewhere else in pursuit of their ever dwindling holiday euro/dollar/pound

[slapout]

The Shin family airline investment council may be putting pressure on, to get past this little government hicup so they can meet their projections as well as fill the new flight schedule they are promoting.

[Baerboxer]

Yingluck like all Thais and the Thai press are in total denial that the sex trade and prostitution, counterfeit goods are the main draws of Bangkok. Who do they think that they are fooling? Everyone knows that Thailand is the world's house of ill repute.

And the countries where prostitution is a bigger but much more hidden issue continue to rely on dopes to keep this false message alive.

Another quality tourist/expat who believes Nana, Soi Cowboy, Pattaya and Patong are the 'real" Thailand.

[jpeg]

Yingluck like all Thais and the Thai press are in total denial that the sex trade and prostitution, counterfeit goods are the main draws of Bangkok. Who do they think that they are fooling? Everyone knows that Thailand is the world's house of ill repute.

And the countries where prostitution is a bigger but much more hidden issue continue to rely on dopes to keep this false message alive.

Another quality tourist/expat who believes Nana, Soi Cowboy, Pattaya and Patong are the 'real" Thailand.

Oh God here we go again. Mention Thailand in any country in the World, including Thailand's neighbouring countries, and see what their very first reaction is. And it ain't temples

[bigbamboo]

Yingluck shouldn't fret too much over this. Soon she'll have four brand new airplanes at her disposal and then she can start her own airline.

[Ulic]

I am a bit of a hermit but it is busy when I go out to the movie theatre in Pattaya, and the market I shop

at in Jomtien is packed with Russians. Baht busses look full and there is lots of traffic. The lack

of Chinese is the result of an active campaign to stop so called zero baht tourists as far as I am concerned

and nothing to do with political unrest in Bangkok. The political unrest is only a few months old.

People tend to book there trips in high season at least that far ahead. Tourist numbers affected by

the unrest will only show up in the next 2-4 months as people make decisions now on current information

for there vacation in the next 2-3 months. So we shall see what unfolds over the next 2-6 months

as the political situation worsens.

[HOOD Robin]

YL should have been worried loooooooooooooooooooooong time ago !

[Loles]

Oh really Chinese clown girl ?

And what about 2010 ?

And don't forget you would have more time to steal if you are not so silly with amnesty bill pushed by your incredible Chinese brother !

Edited January 10, 2014 by Rimmer

[spidermike007]

Many hotels in Koh Samui report full occupancy, and the manager of a well known resort states he feels tourist numbers have returned to the highs of circa 2007. It's not all bad, you know!

That was last week, during peak season. Many hotels in Samui are fully booked from Dec. 24th to about Jan. 7th. Now, few are fully booked. Many are complaining that it is slower than usual, not at all like 2007, in fact. So, do not believe the hype.

[Thai at Heart]

Then change the target.

Works with every other government target in thailand.

[bangarang]

re

some tourists have bypassed Bangkok and moved to other destinations such as Phuket and Chiang Mai, she said

wrong !

chiang mai has hardly any tourists at the mo

dave2

pics taken on wendsday

Your judging based on number of visitors to a Chiang Mai Mc Donalds in those 2 pics you posted?

Love the sign though... breakfast AND WIFI? lol

I dont see how hotels can afford to NOT offer free wifi. Its funny how the cheap 3 stars have it free while the more expensive hotels make you pay for it at like $15-20 per day. Who doesnt need wifi now a days, and that can be a total deal breaker. Maybe tourism can pick up if ALL hotels offer free wifi?

Edited January 10, 2014 by bangarang

[kiniyow]

Slow down of tourist? Have you not seen just how many Russians are here?

[outsider]

Don't worry. At the end of 2014, the TAT will report record number of arrivals etc. etc.

[sirineou]

"Despite being plagued by the ongoing political turmoil, the MICE (meetings, incentives, conventions, and exhibitions) industry outlook in the long term is projected to be still positive..."

It's not the MICE in the tourism sector that should be of concern. It's the RATS in the government that present the biggest problem.

Wow! and it also got 5 likes

It is not the mice that should be concerne, while they are loosing their livelihood and ability to support their family

It is the fat cats in the government who might have to live on 10's of billions of BHTs rather than 100 's of billions.

To the poor mice " let them eat cake"

[Mosha]

The only tourism she is worried about is her own. She'd miss those shopping trips.