15.6 million foreign tourists expected

Well as far as I know, it's almost impossible to get a room in Udon at present ....... everywhere is full.

10 December 2010 ~ 64 Comments
Will Thai Tourism Recover?
For the last few years the Tourism Authority of Thailand has stopped releasing official tourism numbers. Obviously this makes it very difficult to judge the true state of tourism in Thailand, however TAT themselves have sent a message recently that things are probably pretty dire.

Even though anecdotal evidence indicated otherwise TAT has continued to release positive tourism figures for 2008 and 2009 and even most of 2010. This positive outlook was changed recently when Thai Travel Agents Association Chairman Charoen Wangananont admitted that the combination of the political riots early in 2010 and the recent flooding has decreased tourist arrivals by 20% versus last year. He of course remained hopeful that tourist arrivals would reach 14 million by the end of 2010 and remain on pace to then reach 15.5 million through 2011.

I for one can’t imagine that tourist arrivals are anywhere near the 14 million figure being quoted. I recall being in Chiang Mai, Phuket, Bangkok and other locations throughout the Kingdom when tourist figures were officially released. At that time the number of arrivals was being quoted as 12 million and I can tell you that there were many empty hotels, restaurants and bars during those visits. Based on everything I’ve heard both last year and during the beginning of this year’s high season that situation has not improved and may in fact have gotten worse.

Let’s face it we’ve gone from tsunami to bird flu to airport closures to riots in the streets of the capital. Is it any wonder that tourists are choosing to go elsewhere. And overlaying the whole situation is a backdrop of perceived corruption at all levels as well as currency that is now stronger against most other currencies than it has been in over 2 decades. Many destinations in SE Asia are now much cheaper to visit than Thailand and those visiting don’t have the worries that now come with thoughts of Thailand.

Strangely it seems as if Thailand will now be aiming at increasing domestic tourism. I agree that strong domestic tourism is important, but when you have the natural resources that Thailand has in the form of its islands in the south and mountains in the north you can bet that international tourism is going to be far more lucrative. Let’s face facts here, Thais are not the right group to be targeting for beach vacations!

I was under the impression that TAT was going to start targeting more upscale tourists and I personally thought that was the right move. Of course I didn’t think the transition could be made in 2 years, but over time I think an improved tourist base would be a vast improvement for Thailand and for the image of foreigners in Thailand. Of course that would also require significant capital expenditures for infrastructure improvement, removal of the dual pricing system, a clean up of the image Thailand has built up as corrupt and potentially dangerous and an attitude of nurturing the tourist/host relationship.

Maybe a page should be taken from Mexico’s book. Mexico is certainly just as poor, dangerous and corrupt as Thailand is claimed to be and yet just take a look at the Mexican Riviera to see how successful a premier beach destination can become. Clean streets, a safe atmosphere, clean beaches and oceans, well organized tours to the historical sights, top notch service in the hotels, a thriving nightlife and family oriented parks and attractions. When we visited Playa del Carmen it wasn’t me who said “Why won’t Thailand do something like this”, it was my Thai wife.

If tourism is alive and well in Thailand then I would certainly like to know where all the tourists are going. Based on all I have heard and read it is not to Chiang Mai, Phuket, Samui, Hua Hin or any of the other expected locations.

In the end maybe TAT has given me my answer when they came out with their new slogan earlier this year: “Amazing Thailand Always Amazes You”. I certainly do hope that Thailand will once again amaze me by becoming the top destination for upscale tourism in SE Asia.