Thailand tourism situation

[T.O.M.]

"The Thai tourism industry is expected to face some difficulty in 2019 from the trade war between the US and China, increasing interest rates, and soaring fuel jet prices, he said. These factors would force tourists to cut their travel plans and lower consumption, especially on luxury items."

"Tourism revenue from domestic markets will increase from 1 trillion baht this year to 1.18 trillion in 2019, up about 10% year-on-year, he said."

Above a couple of quotes from the Governor of TAT......
"SOARING JET FUEL PRICES" Oil is extremely cheap at the moment...the lowest in more than a year....

Domestic tourism will increase from 1 to 1.18, which according to the governor is a 10% increase...

Serious where do they find those people?

[handdrummer]

When you wish upon a star.

[oakdale160]

I love that expression the lawyers use--I will take this information under advisement. Meaning that they have heard the info, but are not believing it until they get collaborating info. ALL TATs info should be taken under advisement.

[oakdale160]

Well US it seems to have got busier and after all Mid Jan is usually very busy, its tough for punters to asses business. but those in the bar business should know. There are certainly less girls in the bars that used to be plentifully staffed.

[T.O.M.]

Well US it seems to have got busier and after all Mid Jan is usually very busy, its tough for punters to asses business. but those in the bar business should know. There are certainly less girls in the bars that used to be plentifully staffed.

"There are certainly less girls in the bars that used to be plentifully staffed"

They have found true love aka a temporary sponsor....

[usual suspect]

Less girls..? Indeed..Many are going back home..Think of it from a bar-girl's POV..Very few farang coming in the bars, the one's that do are not as liberal with their lady-drinks/tips as a few years back (exchange rate again) AND the rooms these girls stay in have rent increases too..It's not easy for them just now, and the "You buy me drink" request is much more common now (as their needs must).
Our old bar was down to 2 girls only last week!..the others had all moved to others bars with more trade..Sign of the times.

[oakdale160]

That sounds as if it could be a downhill spiral-
-Business is slow---- Bar girls leave---- No bar girls to attract customers---Business gets even slower.

[Big Boy]

My gauge on the level of tourism remains how many abreast visitors walk down Soi 94. I think, in general 4 abreast has been the maximum this High Season so far. So what do I conclude? Using my yardstick, either:

- Tourism has halved this year.
- The intelligence of tourists has improved.

Then we had TAT putting out the 'Hua Hin is full' message over Christmas and New Year.

Yesterday, I was looking for accomodation for a friend staying from March (the end of High Season) until May (the doldrums). The message being given out by the various web pages was Hua Hin is already 80% full for that period, so book quick. I guess businesses have to prepare for a very long High Season this year.

So, is it fake news, or do locals need to visit Specsavers?

The thing I don't understand is why would these people be giving out false news? Are they trying to direct potential Hua Hin visitors to the ghost resorts such as Phuket, where, if we believe the news, the streets are deserted? Is it a marketing ploy to make people book faster? If so, why say Hua Hin was full? I used to deliberately come to Hua Hin when it was quiet.

I don't know the answer, but from my perspective (I don't do bars), numbers are well down this year.

[buksida]

Its common practice for the booking websites and agents to say "almost full" to make you book before you "miss out". Agoda does it all the time, increasing the price a little every time you go back to look at the same listing.

February should be the busiest month of the year but nothing is anywhere near full.

[Big Boy]

Maybe a ploy by booking agents, but why would TAT declare a town as 'Full'?

[buksida]

but why would TAT declare a town as 'Full'?

I think it is quite common knowledge that TAT is the ministry of bullshit.

[Nereus]

Yesterday, I was looking for accomodation for a friend staying from March (the end of High Season) until May (the doldrums). The message being given out by the various web pages was Hua Hin is already 80% full for that period, so book quick. I guess businesses have to prepare for a very long High Season this year.

Go up Soi 88, up the hill before the turn to Hin Lek Fai, on the left side of the Soi, Hua Hin Terminal Hotel. The new wing at the back has good rooms, plenty of parking, nice swimming pool, etc. Long term stay will be under 600 Baht /night, just ask. A couple of restaurants on the road out the front, laundry, coffee shop.

[Big Boy]

Yes, thank you. That one is on my short list. About to check out V Living very soon, which would be better located for him (he'll have no transport).

I think we'd best get back to topic though, else one of those pesky Moderators will be on our backs

[Nereus]

Thailand welcomed record 38.27 million tourists in 2018

https://www.bangkokpost.com/business/to ... recent_box


Thailand saw a record 38.27 million tourists in 2018, up 7.5% from 2017, the Tourism Ministry said on Monday.
The country's December tourist arrivals were 3.85 million, the ministry said in a statement.

For 2019, the ministry expects 41.1 million tourists to spend 2.21 trillion baht. The number of visitors from China - Thailand's biggest source of tourists - is projected to rise 11% to 11.69 million, it said.

Foreign tourist receipts account for about 12% of Thailand's gross domestic product.

Workers prepare plates of mango with sticky rice, a popular local dessert for thousands of Chinese tourists, in an outdoor banquet in Muang Thong Thani in Nonthaburi province outside Bangkok on Jan 20, 2019 as part of a government promotion to attract more Chinese tourists. The huge event aims to set a Guinness World Record for the largest serving of mango sticky rice.

c1_1619182_620x413.jpg (70.49 KiB) Viewed 485 times

[buksida]

Yeah right - that is 105,000 people EVERY SINGLE DAY, 365 days a year, entering the country.

This is what 100,000 people looks like.

stlouis2.jpg (227.8 KiB) Viewed 474 times

Ministers trying to keep their jobs methinks.