Thai tourism industry lauds some govt actions, calls for long-term measures

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TOURISM
Tourism industry lauds some govt actions, calls for long-term measures
SUCHAT SRITAMA
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- The lifting of martial law and crackdowns on illegal businesses have been the highlights of the government's six-month performance, according to tourism industry representatives, but they have called on the regime to ensure the safety and security of tourist for the long term.

"The private sector is happy with the past six months of the government's administration. We [operators involved in tourism] would like to thank the government for withdrawing martial law and [reducing] illegal business at major destinations such as Phuket and Pattaya," Ittirit Kinglake, president of Tourism Council of Thailand, said yesterday.

He said the lifting of martial law had regained a lot of confidence among foreigners, especially in some Western countries and Australia, so they should return to the Kingdom in the coming high season starting in October. Meanwhile, the private sector has given the thumbs-up for the crackdown on illegal businesses and mafia gangs in Phuket and Pattaya and illegal taxis at Bangkok's Suvarnabhumi Airport.

"However, we need to see long-term stability, and not just for a short period. Tourism businesses need safety and confidence," Ittirit said.

Charoen Wangananont, president of the Association of Thai Travel Agents, said the government should come up with proactive strategies to deal with the current low season. He said many tourists were still putting off a decision to come to Thailand, but not because of its political problems and safety issues but because of the economic woes in their own countries.

Charoen also urged the government to solve the aviation-safety problem in order to enhance confidence in air travel.

Kobkarn Wattanavrangkul, minister of tourism and sports, said yesterday that tourism had already bounced back to growth since the final quarter last year. She said plans for the short, medium and long terms had been drafted for the sector.

The ministry has implemented a number of tourism packages and practices, she said. These include the "Discover Thailand" campaign, issuing tourist safety measures, reducing illegal tourism businesses, promoting second-tier cities as destinations, and promoting local cultures and traditions. More cooperation with neighbouring countries has been endorsed in order to increase intra-regional travel.

The ministry aims for Bt2.2 billion in revenue from tourism this year.

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/business/Tourism-industry-lauds-some-govt-actions-calls-for-30258349.html


-- The Nation 2015-04-21

[PaullyW]

It is VERY difficult to believe that tourism accounts for only 10% or even 15% of the Thai economy. I feel like every 2nd or 3rd day, Thai officials are complaining or going on about tourism. What a strange relationship to rely so heavily on the very foreigners that so many Thais have been taught to secretly despise. Must be torture.

[NongKhaiKid]

It is VERY difficult to believe that tourism accounts for only 10% or even 15% of the Thai economy. I feel like every 2nd or 3rd day, Thai officials are complaining or going on about tourism. What a strange relationship to rely so heavily on the very foreigners that so many Thais have been taught to secretly despise. Must be torture.

Yes. Posters, including me, have said before that Thai officialdom emphasise how important tourism is when it suits them, Koh Tau as an example but when other countries issue travel advisories etc and tourism is threatened the Thais go on the defence and insist tourism isn't that important.

[Oziex1]

What is the progress of the compliance to the air safety audit system, that has been ignored for ten years.

[emilymat]

It is VERY difficult to believe that tourism accounts for only 10% or even 15% of the Thai economy. I feel like every 2nd or 3rd day, Thai officials are complaining or going on about tourism. What a strange relationship to rely so heavily on the very foreigners that so many Thais have been taught to secretly despise. Must be torture.

I honestly believe these constant OP's on tourism are simply a measure of the 'insecurity' feeling of Thai officials.

It may well be that tourism only represents 10-15% of GDP but, to Thai officials, they believe that tourism is the one and only way Thailand is measured in the eyes of foreigners. Any drop is a severe loss of face. That's why they keep banging on about it.

Also of course, you don't want to upset the General with a negative message.

[northernphil]

putting off the decision to come to Thailand because of the economic woes in their own countries. Kettle Pot Black. Re arrange to suit your economic woes.

[ChrisY1]

Maybe that so many of the wealthy have interests in the tourism industry.....

Sent from my iPhone using Thaivisa Connect Thailand

[ToYoungToRetire]

You'd have to be an idiot to not know your home currency gets stronger the weaker the thai currency. Why all of the complaining?

[natway09]

Good comment.

Without long term planning & a total clean up of all the tourist areas soon this place will just become a sewer.

Forget about getting 40mill "tourists" here living on a shoe string, lets get 20mil here with some money in their pocket.

I would like to hear from anybody else who can see this as I do