Thai travel not ready for AEC

KRABI, 6 September 2012: Thai tourism companies need to get up to speed on ASEAN Economic Community 2015 urgently or lose out to companies elsewhere that are better prepared to exploit opportunities.

Speaking at the AEC 2015: Opportunity or Threat seminar, Sunday, Association of Thai Travel Agents president, Sisdivachr Cheewarattanaporn, said a lack of understanding about the opportunities could mean Thai companies will miss out.

“The government must make it clear to the private sector so we can understand the measures and action plans as the tourism industry approaches a liberalised market.”

He noted that the ASEAN Economic Community 2015 would benefit some occupations, however for tourism the industry had to be cautious.

Thais working in the travel industry have to improve their language skills particularly English, or they will lose out to foreign workers.

The Nation and Kom Chad Luek senior editor, Kavee Jongkitthaworn, said: “We need to know that we are heading for AC or ASEAN Community not just AEC or ASEAN Economic Community which is a subset of AC.”

ASEAN Community comprises of three pillars namely ASEAN Socio-Cultural Community (ASCC), ASEAN Security Community (ASC), and ASEAN Economic Community (AEC). Tourism is included in this category.

Therefore, Thailand must develop all three pillars to raise the country competitiveness across the board, Mr Kavee explained.

“Neighbouring countries know more about AEC than Thailand due to local media that has focused on the issue, while our country’s media is focusing on entertainment news.”

In tourism, Thailand needs to revise the Act of Tourism and Guide Registration 2008 and Alien Business Act 1999, he noted.

One of the risks when AEC kicks off in 2015 will related to the issue of a one-stop visas, due to start at the end of this year.

Meanwhile, Tourism Authority of Thailand governor advisor level 11, Akapol Pruksawan, said the Cabinet approved eight of the ASEAN agreements to allow only six-star hotels to have a foreign investment of 70% effective next year.

Sourced: ttrweekly