TAT is likely to adjust down this year's number of tourist projection

[webfact]

TAT is likely to adjust down this year's number of tourist projection



BANGKOK, 15 May 2014 (NNT) - The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) is likely to adjust down the projection for this year’s number of tourists, thanks to the prolonged political impasse.

TAT Deputy Governor for Marketing Communications, Sukree Sittiwanitch, predicted that the situation could turn into a worst case scenario where the number of foreign travelers contracts to 26.3 million from the target of 28.4 million. He also revealed a new tourism revenue projection of 1.24 trillion baht, a significant drop from the earlier predicted figure of 1.32 trillion baht.

He said the projections reflect the worst performance of the sector in 5 years since the Airport seizure in 2008 and the Central World riot incident in 2009.

Nonetheless Mr. Sukree said there are several markets that are relatively unaffected by the political tension, such as the European market which registered a 7.63% growth rate, the American market with a 0.48% growth, and the South African region with a 16.60% growth. He explained that the tourists from the European Union have higher spending capacity than those from the Asian region thus helping the kingdom maintain its tourism revenue.

The Deputy Governor said that this week the TAT would discuss with wholesale tour agencies from the EU the number of tourist projection from the region. He added that the TAT would be able to formulate a proper promotional campaign if it obtained a confirmed figure of EU travelers from the meeting.


-- NNT 2014-05-15

[sjjmmi]

Wow !!!!! I wonder why

[Mosha]

Well the disappearance of the 30 day runners is bound to have an impact.

[Elmer Gantry]

TAT I am available for evangelical retreats in your den of iniquities.I have conducted a lot of research in Papong,Pattaya,Phuket and various other sinful locations.I have found that there are many lost souls with plenty of money.Promotion on at the moment,I saved soul was 100 dollars now 50 dollars.Group bookings can enjoy a bigger discount.Salvation guaranteed.This is an untapped market in Thailand,first come,first saved.

[webfact]

Tourism projection slashed



BANGKOK: -- The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) is to slash its tourist arrival projection this year from 28.4 million to 26.3 million and tourism revenue from 1.42 trillion baht to 1.24 trillion baht, citing unresolved political turmoil as major cause.

The projection adjustment was based on the worst case scenario in which no political settlement is reached and unrest is dragged on further.

TAT deputy governor Sukree Sithivanich said the adjustment reflects the worst performance of the sector in five years since the Suvarnabhumi airport seizure in 2008 and the bloody riot and arson at Central World in 2009.

However he maintained that the political unrest did have no impact on the European and the American tourists which still recorded 7.63% and 0.48% respectively, while South African market registered 16.60% growth.

Source: http://englishnews.thaipbs.or.th/tourism-projection-slashed/


-- Thai PBS 2014-05-15

[JeremyBowskill]

Really? Adjust down, why? What's wrong with just making up stupid numbers as normal? If you have a winning formula why deviate?

[casindonet]

As a whole, tourism is down....but more european are coming. Their down is always turn to up.

Sent from my GT-I9200 using Thaivisa Connect Thailand mobile app

[marko kok prong]

Do Tat count russians as europeans i wonder?

[madmitch]

Do Tat count russians as europeans i wonder?

Exactly what I thought. There's no way Western Europeans are up by the numbers suggested above. Read any previous reports and they have all said that European numbers are down.

[webfact]

Thailand Suffers Worst Tourism Growth in Years: TAT

By Khaosod English


Thailand is seeing the smallest growth in tourist numbers in five years as a result of the country’s prolonged political crisis, says the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT).

BANGKOK — Thailand is seeing the smallest growth in tourist numbers in five years as a result of the country’s prolonged political crisis, says the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT).

Only 26.3 million tourists are expected to arrive in Thailand in 2014, a 6.2% decrease from the initial projection of 28 million tourists estimated by the TAT earlier this year, said Sukree Sitthiwanich, a deputy director of the TAT's marketing and communications department.

This marks the lowest drop in tourist growth since 2008, when similar groups of anti-government demonstrators seized Bangkok's two main airports amid widespread political instability.

Thailand is projected to reap 1.24 trillion baht in tourism revenues this year, which is a 3% growth from the revenues collected last year. The TAT was hoping 2014 would see a 5% growth in tourist revenue, Mr. Sukree said.

The number of arriving tourists decreased by 4.91% between the months of January - April, Mr. Sukree said. Although tourists from Western Europe and the United States rose by a slight margin, Thailand saw fewer visitors from China, South Korea, Taiwan, Japan, and other regions such as South Asia and ASEAN countries, Mr. Sukree added.

Mr. Sukree said that the TAT will have to revise the projected number of visitors for this year again in the future, citing possible fallouts on tourism caused by the recent earthquake in Chiang Rai province and the renewal of insurgency-related violence in the southern border provinces. Many Chinese and Malaysian tourists have been deterred from visiting Thailand by the two incidents, according to Mr. Sukree.

"However, despite the falling number in tourists, activities and promotion campaigns by TAT will continue," Mr. Sukree said. "They cannot stop, because if they do, it will certainly have impact on tourists' confidence."

Source: http://en.khaosod.co.th/detail.php?newsid=1400139511


-- Khaosod English 2014-05-15

[marko kok prong]

there will be a new annoucement tomorrow, that a promotional campaign in Antartica is expected to boost numbers by at least 10 million next year.

[Prbkk]

Many , most 5 star properties are at under 50% occupancy, even with heavily discounted rates. Sad to see it this way.

[marko kok prong]

The other thing in this article is they are blaming all this on the earthquake ,political instability and the problems in the south,what about the problems with numerous other things; the road toll,the garbage everywhere,the polluted water at some beaches,the jet ski scams,tuk tuk rip offs,high prices for food and particularly alcohol at tourist destinations,overdevelopment to name but a few,if this joke of an organisation took theirs heads out of the sand and started getting serious about some of these other issue's instead of promoting under water weddings and free fertility treatment, they may actually achieve something.

[unanimosity]

That is quite a drop from 20+ million all the way down to one if the OP headline is accurate. Wonder who that tourist will be?

[JetsetBkk]

Adjusted the picture to reflect the attitude of Suthep's mob to TAT's tourism numbers:

.

[belg]

do they have figures of does border runners ?

[worgeordie]

Thats the first time ever that I have seen TAT tell the truth,do they have a new honest man

in charge now ?, as somethings changed,unless its more serious than they say!

regards Worgeordie

[ottoemil]

Thats the first time ever that I have seen TAT tell the truth,do they have a new honest man

in charge now ?, as somethings changed,unless its more serious than they say!

regards Worgeordie

Yes, they have a new guy.

Maybe you recognize him.

[Emster23]

"a worst case scenario where the number of foreign travelers contracts to 26.3 million from the target of 28.4 million." They need to take some classes in scenario dreaming. How about a full out civil war? Seemed to have big impact on Syria's tourism industry.....

[ggt]

I thought from reading previous posts...that the lifers here would be applauding the reduction in tourism...seemingly less transit scum of the earth people...as opposed to the good guys who have now made Thailand home...and adapted to Thai culture...

[Lupatria]

Who gave the CD with the song "Wake up little Suzie" to the guy who is normally making his predictions from his dusty glass bowl?

[bangon04]

""However, despite the falling number in tourists, activities and promotion campaigns by TAT will continue," Mr. Sukree said. "They cannot stop, because if they do, it will certainly have impact on tourists' confidence."

Ah, some things in life you can always count on.....

[marko kok prong]

""However, despite the falling number in tourists, activities and promotion campaigns by TAT will continue," Mr. Sukree said. "They cannot stop, because if they do, it will certainly have impact on tourists' confidence."

Ah, some things in life you can always count on.....

And idiotic statements from Tat, well your on a sure bet there,and of course if they do stop spouting their nonsensical idea's they will be out of a job,i would love to be a fly on the wall in their office one day,it would be hilarious.