Thailand talks a trillion or two

Thailand can increase domestic and inbound tourism earnings to reach Bt2 trillion by 2015, business experts claimed, Wednesday.

They were addressing tourism related challenges and issues during an event called Thailand Tourism Direction.

Tourism Council of Thailand president, Piyaman Tejapaibul, told delegatesThailand could reach Bt2 trillion in tourism revenue by 2015, but it would require a big improvement in cooperation between the government and private sector.

“Thailand tourism has the potential to grow to new dimensions, but it lacks serious integration.”

 

The TCT president added: “The government must set out a clear management plan, budgets and tourism development strategies and ensure there is no overlap and that it has the full support of the private sector before moving forward.”

TCT Planning and Policy president, Kongkrit Hiranyakit, claimed that it was possibly to earn more than Bt2 trillion by 2016, but it would require an upgrade in infrastructure.

“ The government should jointly invest with the private sector and there has to be an investment in collecting data on tourism focusing on hotels and resorts as well as man-made tourist attractions.”

He identified five challenges or problems that deter tourism expansion.

There is an imbalance between tourist supply and attractions.

Poor distribution of tourists in the country with most of them packed into a few popular destinations.

Public transport to destinations is very poor in quality.

There is a shortage of skilled tourism personnel to work in the industry.

Tourists are cheated, short changed. Safety and security are below international standards.

Other delegates suggested it was time to recognise as an industry that this is the Asia Century and the emphasis should shift in marketing and sales to concentrate on China, India, Russia, Australia and the Middle East.

THAI Airways International Strategy and Business Development Department executive vice president, Chokchai Panyayong, said developing route networks and premium airlines was another key factor to reach the target.

It was agreed that the capabilities of both Suvarnabhumi Airport and Don Mueang Airport needed to be improved as well as building traffic through regional airports across the country.

Last year, Thailand welcomed 15,936,400 tourist arrivals generating Bt592,794.09 million in tourism revenue representing an increase of 12.63% from 14,149,841 visits earning Bt510,255.05 million in 2009.

International tourists stayed 9.12 days in Thailand with spending per day per person averaging Bt4,078.67, a slight increase from 8.99 days and a Bt4,011.21 expenditure per head in 2009.

Meanwhile, domestic tourism increased 25.02% to 122,522,114 trips circulating Bt402,574.39 million compared to 97,998,957 trips that earned Bt264,780.93 million in 2009.

On average, Thais travelled 2.59 days, spending per person Bt1,736.38, a slight increase from 2.35 days and a spend of Bt1,540.63 per person in 2009.

Source - ttrweekly