Thai tourism operators remain confident of tourist arrivals despite of the flight ban

[webfact]

Tourism operators remain confident of tourist arrivals despite of the flight ban



BANGKOK: -- Although Thailand could lose some 10,000 tourists from Japan and at least 250 million baht in tourism revenue if the recent charter ban is not resolved, but tourism operators remain confident tourist arrival target of 28 million this year will be achieved.

President of Thai Travel Agents Associations (TTAA) Charoen Wangananont said he remained confident of the tourist arrivals this year although the country is facing ban on its charter flight ban from Japan, South Korea and China.

He said the charter flight ban has already affected some 5,000 Japanese tourists and it will also affect other 5,000 tourists next month.

He said these Japanese people are considered ‘premium class’ tourists as each spends some 50,000 baht during their trip and this excludes shopping and food expenses.

This would mean a loss of some 250 million baht to Thailand, he said.

Charoen said it is unfortunate that the issue occurs during the time when Thailand experiences significant growth in numbers of tourist arrivals from South Korea and China.

However he remains confident that Thailand can still achieve the 28-million tourist arrivals target this year despite the flight ban.

Supalerk Soorangura, president of Association of Thai Travel Agents (ATTA), a non-profit organization that serves to bring foreign tourists to Thailand, said Japan’s charter flights ban would affect outbound Thai tourists travelling to the country and Japanese inbound travelers, especially during the peak travel season from April to May.

Japan, South Korea, and China last week banned charter and increased flights operated by Thai airlines, after the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) had flagged significant concerns about Thailand’s aviation safety.

Thailand reportedly failed a recent Universal Safety Oversight Audit Programme Inspection in January, according to the UN agency.

Supalerk said the next two months is considered the high tourist season in Thailand because major celebrations occur during this time, including Thailand’s Songkran celebration, Japan’s Golden Week and China’s Labour Day.

He called on Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha to quickly fix the issue before its impact would further expand.

He suggested Thai airlines whose flights have been cancelled due to the ban to transfer their clients to other airlines.

In case, the airlines could not replace flights for their clients, they should quickly refund them.

Source: http://englishnews.thaipbs.or.th/tourism-operators-remain-confident-of-tourist-arrivals-despite-of-the-flight-ban

-- Thai PBS 2015-04-01

[NongKhaiKid]

It wouldn't be LoS if the possibility of anything going wrong was admitted.

[JOC]

It wouldn't be LoS if the possibility of anything going wrong was admitted.

Forgive them.

It is a DNA thing, they just can't help it......................

[Rogergreybeard]

Will leave room at the buffets

[NongKhaiKid]

It wouldn't be LoS if the possibility of anything going wrong was admitted.

Forgive them.

It is a DNA thing, they just can't help it......................

Since it's Easter i thought you were about to give it the " father forgive them... " routine but of course this is a Buddhist country and I'm a searching agnostic so the DNA thing is more appropriate.

[gerry123]

confident of tourist arrivals they would still be confident if the world turned square and the sun went out

[phil2407]

If they're confident of 28 million tourists this year - why not release figures every 1/4 - now April how many tourists since Jan 1 to March 31st? Then April - June? When someone says I'm confident in 28 million - ?

[Johnny S]

"He said these Japanese people are considered ‘premium class’ tourists as each spends some 50,000 baht during their trip and this excludes shopping and food expenses."

Could he define what they spend 50,000B on then ? Is it h00kers or the overpriced hotels ?

[Benmart]

The tourism gurus seem to have their words mixed up.

confidence

the feeling or belief that one can rely on someone or something.

wish

feel or express a strong desire or hope for something that is not easily attainable; want something that cannot or probably will not happen.

[rtco]

What with Thai flight safety problems, the lifting of Martial Law to be replaced by Article 44 which is even more strict, the continue persecution of the opposition, the Lese Majeste laws, the continuing harassment of tourists, the corruption ... and the list goes on ... I very much doubt it. Who would want to come to Thailand with all of the things that are going on here at the moment?

[northernphil]

'Confident of tourist arrivals despite flight bans ' Does this mean hordes of boat people coming from Japan ?

[Jim walker]

28 million tourists but only if the planes last that long to get them here

[elgordo38]

It wouldn't be LoS if the possibility of anything going wrong was admitted.

Can I get a confidence shot somewhere here in Thailand as most tourist operators seemed to have received one. Well I guess crying in their beer would only make matters worse in the future.

[The Deerhunter]

Oh no! Does this mean the Chinese are going to come by the boat load from Burma? (All right, Myanmar) 25 (Ye-Ha)

[elgordo38]

If they're confident of 28 million tourists this year - why not release figures every 1/4 - now April how many tourists since Jan 1 to March 31st? Then April - June? When someone says I'm confident in 28 million - ?

They can always use the math that the USA uses when they calculate the unemployment and inflation rates. Its like a day at the gym you have pump up the numbers.

[maidee]

i know people buy premium things when in japan, but what do japanese buy here that is premium ?

if they spend 50k on a honey & hotel, is that premium tourists ?

[Redline]

Confidence is great! I love confidence!