6 million unemployed in tourism alone – a stark outlook for Thailand’s tourist industry
More accurate predictions are starting to emerge as the full impacts of the Covid-19 outbreak in Thailand start to become clearer, and we still don’t have the shops open yet.
Reports from the UN’s International Labour Organisation, in collaboration with the University of the Thai Chamber of Commerce, have already made stark predictions about the problems that lay ahead for the Thai government, and the people working in the immediate and peripheral parts of the tourism industry.
Up to 6 million people are expected to lose their jobs in the tourism sector alone as a result of the coronavirus pandemic, that’s in a country with a total population around 66 million. Tourism is a critical industry for the Thai economy that accounts for between 15-18% of the country’s GDP in direct income, and up to 21% when you include all the other businesses that rely on the flow of tourists.
Thailand’s tourism sector has overcome many past shocks – natural disasters, coups, a reputation for political instability, recessions and long-running protests. That Thailand survived these interruptions, then continued to thrive, gave Thailand’s tourism industry the nickname “Teflon Thailand”.
https://thethaiger.com/coronavirus/cv19 ... t-industry
Thailand tourism situation
Re: Thailand tourist slump continues
Who is the happier man, he who has braved the storm of life and lived or he who has stayed securely on shore and merely existed? - Hunter S Thompson
Re: Thailand tourist slump continues
I guess we will get a better picture of the situation here in Hua Hin after 'normality' resumes. How many hotels will re-open? How many businesses - laundries, hairdressers, restaurants and so on, if there are no tourists to service them? It will have a knock on effect beyond the tourism industry. '
Talk is cheap
Re: Thailand tourist slump continues
Tourist arrivals may fall by 65%
The number of foreign tourists may plunge by almost two-thirds to 14 million this year, the lowest level in 14 years, as the coronavirus pandemic hits global travel, estimates from the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) showed on Monday.
The TAT now predicts only 14 million to 16 million foreign visitors this year, sharply down from 33.8 million projected in March. Last year's foreign arrivals were a record 39.8 million.
Tourism is crucial to Thailand as spending from foreign tourists amounted to 1.93 trillion baht, or 11% of gross domestic product last year.
The tourism authority is hoping foreign visitors will return to Thailand in October, the country's high tourist season, TAT Governor Yuthasak Supasorn told Reuters.
"Our best case scenario is that domestic tourism will start to improve in June or July, while foreign visitors should come in around October," he said.
"Forward bookings are showing a good trend, with smaller drops. But that will also depend on the outbreak situation and travel restrictions," he added.
The TAT is preparing a rehabilitation plan for the sector, which should be completed by early June, Mr Yuthasak said.
https://www.bangkokpost.com/business/19 ... all-by-65-
If TAT are estimating 14 million, the real number is probably a fraction of that. Its been zero over the past two months.
The number of foreign tourists may plunge by almost two-thirds to 14 million this year, the lowest level in 14 years, as the coronavirus pandemic hits global travel, estimates from the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) showed on Monday.
The TAT now predicts only 14 million to 16 million foreign visitors this year, sharply down from 33.8 million projected in March. Last year's foreign arrivals were a record 39.8 million.
Tourism is crucial to Thailand as spending from foreign tourists amounted to 1.93 trillion baht, or 11% of gross domestic product last year.
The tourism authority is hoping foreign visitors will return to Thailand in October, the country's high tourist season, TAT Governor Yuthasak Supasorn told Reuters.
"Our best case scenario is that domestic tourism will start to improve in June or July, while foreign visitors should come in around October," he said.
"Forward bookings are showing a good trend, with smaller drops. But that will also depend on the outbreak situation and travel restrictions," he added.
The TAT is preparing a rehabilitation plan for the sector, which should be completed by early June, Mr Yuthasak said.
https://www.bangkokpost.com/business/19 ... all-by-65-
If TAT are estimating 14 million, the real number is probably a fraction of that. Its been zero over the past two months.
Who is the happier man, he who has braved the storm of life and lived or he who has stayed securely on shore and merely existed? - Hunter S Thompson
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pharvey
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Re: Thailand tourist slump continues
Further to an earlier post (by buks), the BBC (TV) was reporting an expected 75% drop from (the expected) 40 million tourists this year. As for many other countries, this is going to take a long time to recover from.
I understand incoming international flights are also banned until the end of June.
Quite frankly I still have my concerns over flight/travel restrictions (from UK) even in September when our flights and accommodation are booked (and paid for). Not to mention the state of Thai Air who we are booked with!
I understand incoming international flights are also banned until the end of June.
Quite frankly I still have my concerns over flight/travel restrictions (from UK) even in September when our flights and accommodation are booked (and paid for). Not to mention the state of Thai Air who we are booked with!
"Hope is a good thing, maybe the best of things" - Yma o Hyd.
Re: Thailand tourist slump continues
Why Thailand isn't reopening to international tourists yet
With news that many countries in Europe are reopening to tourism in time for summer, travelers with their sights set on Asia are anxiously awaiting word on when they'll be given the green light to visit their favorite destination.
As of now, those with Thailand in mind will need to wait at least a few more months before packing their bags.
"It is still dependent on the outbreak situation, but I think at the earliest, we may see the return of tourists could be the fourth quarter of this year," Yutasak Supasorn, governor of the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT), tells CNN Travel.
And even then, he says, there will likely be restrictions on who can visit and where they can go.
"We are not going to open all at once," he adds. "We are still on high alert, we just can't let our guards down yet. We have to look at the country of origin [of the travelers] to see if their situation has truly improved. And lastly, we have to see whether our own business operators are ready to receive tourists under the 'new normal'."
Similar versions of this strategy are already being looked at in the region -- referred to as "tourism bubbles." Basically, a country will open borders reciprocally with destinations that also have their coronavirus situation under control.
Once Thailand does open to international tourists, they'll likely only be able to visit certain spots, says Yutasak.
"We have studied a possibility of offering special long-stay packages in isolated and closed areas where health monitoring can be easily controlled -- for example, Koh Pha Ngan and Koh Samui. This will be beneficial for both tourists and local residents, since this is almost a kind of quarantine."
Yutasak says they're finishing up a framework to restart tourism, but much of the decision-making lies in the hands of the CCSA -- the Center for Covid-19 Situation Administration -- which will decide when is the best time to open the border.
https://edition.cnn.com/travel/article/ ... sts-covid/
With news that many countries in Europe are reopening to tourism in time for summer, travelers with their sights set on Asia are anxiously awaiting word on when they'll be given the green light to visit their favorite destination.
As of now, those with Thailand in mind will need to wait at least a few more months before packing their bags.
"It is still dependent on the outbreak situation, but I think at the earliest, we may see the return of tourists could be the fourth quarter of this year," Yutasak Supasorn, governor of the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT), tells CNN Travel.
And even then, he says, there will likely be restrictions on who can visit and where they can go.
"We are not going to open all at once," he adds. "We are still on high alert, we just can't let our guards down yet. We have to look at the country of origin [of the travelers] to see if their situation has truly improved. And lastly, we have to see whether our own business operators are ready to receive tourists under the 'new normal'."
Similar versions of this strategy are already being looked at in the region -- referred to as "tourism bubbles." Basically, a country will open borders reciprocally with destinations that also have their coronavirus situation under control.
Once Thailand does open to international tourists, they'll likely only be able to visit certain spots, says Yutasak.
"We have studied a possibility of offering special long-stay packages in isolated and closed areas where health monitoring can be easily controlled -- for example, Koh Pha Ngan and Koh Samui. This will be beneficial for both tourists and local residents, since this is almost a kind of quarantine."
Yutasak says they're finishing up a framework to restart tourism, but much of the decision-making lies in the hands of the CCSA -- the Center for Covid-19 Situation Administration -- which will decide when is the best time to open the border.
https://edition.cnn.com/travel/article/ ... sts-covid/
Who is the happier man, he who has braved the storm of life and lived or he who has stayed securely on shore and merely existed? - Hunter S Thompson
Re: Thailand tourist slump continues
....."Once Thailand does open to international tourists, they'll likely only be able to visit certain spots, says Yutasak.".....
I can anticipate that if any of us expats decide to go anywhere, especially if not on the list of "certain spots", all hell will break loose in the hotel lobby trying to prove we've been here all along throughout the entire pandemic and rules that apply to us are the same rules that apply to Thais.
I imagine the same will happen if we show up in a village somewhere and are spotted by the police.
I can anticipate that if any of us expats decide to go anywhere, especially if not on the list of "certain spots", all hell will break loose in the hotel lobby trying to prove we've been here all along throughout the entire pandemic and rules that apply to us are the same rules that apply to Thais.
I imagine the same will happen if we show up in a village somewhere and are spotted by the police.
Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed. Source
Re: Thailand tourist slump continues
Yeah - it'll be a shitshow. The Chinese will be allowed to flood the place again first, and those living here will have to prove it.
Personally, I avoid those tourist hotspots anyway as they're about as far-flung from the real Thailand as you can get.
Personally, I avoid those tourist hotspots anyway as they're about as far-flung from the real Thailand as you can get.
Who is the happier man, he who has braved the storm of life and lived or he who has stayed securely on shore and merely existed? - Hunter S Thompson
Re: Thailand tourist slump continues
Had a good laugh when I read this....
In an attempt to attract tourism, the outwardly corrupt bunch of liars are going to promote 'Lieland' as a 'trusted' tourist destination.....that was funny enough in its own right, but then I saw this....even better.
![Image]()
In an attempt to attract tourism, the outwardly corrupt bunch of liars are going to promote 'Lieland' as a 'trusted' tourist destination.....that was funny enough in its own right, but then I saw this....even better.
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Stargeezer
- Professional
- Posts: 461
- Joined: Tue Nov 19, 2013 7:30 am
- Location: Canada
Re: Thailand tourist slump continues
As much as I enjoy Hua Hin, I will be staying in Canada until next year.
Next year I may spend most my visit in Vietnam as my family wants
me to see their sights, and I want to save money. Thailand is not as cheap
anymore anyway. Hope you Hinners have a great Fall and Winter.
Geezer
Next year I may spend most my visit in Vietnam as my family wants
me to see their sights, and I want to save money. Thailand is not as cheap
anymore anyway. Hope you Hinners have a great Fall and Winter.
Geezer
Pluto is my favorite planet!, especially now that we all can see close up
pictures of it.
pictures of it.
Re: Thailand tourist slump continues
Thailand to turn away from mass tourism, target the wealthy
https://www.bangkokpost.com/thailand/ge ... he-wealthy
The government's tourism-revival strategy is to target big spenders seeking privacy and social distancing in the Covid-19 era, rather than try to attract a large number of visitors, according to Tourism Minister Phiphat Ratchakitprakarn.
The pandemic provides an opportunity to reset the sector, which had become reliant on Chinese groups and backpackers, he said in an interview with Bloomberg News.
Once the country’s borders are reopened and so-called travel bubbles are agreed upon, marketing efforts will be geared toward wealthier individuals who want holidays with minimal risks.
The government will initially allow a small number of arrivals, such as some business executives and medical tourists. It is also working with the travel industry to identify and invite individuals in target demographics, which will probably include previous visitors to luxury resorts in the islands of Phuket, Samui, Phangan and Phi Phi, the minister said.
Phuket is “a prototype” because it has all the needed facilities.
People may be required to pass Covid-19 screenings before traveling and upon arriving, choose a single resort island and remain for a minimum period of time.
The “high-end visitors” will be able to travel freely while they’re on the island and be allowed to leave for home or other destinations in Thailand once the minimum 14 days have passed. The country plans to court such visitors, possibly during the winter months of November-February when European and American travelers seek out warmer climates, Mr Phiphat said.
“One person can easily spend as much as five by staying at the finest hotels,” he said, adding that full and free travel should become a “thing of the past.”
Thailand is not the only country grappling with the question of how and when to reopen for visitors. Across Southeast Asia -- one of the most tourism-reliant regions in the world -- hotels and travel businesses are slowly kicking into gear as countries that have succeeded in flattening their virus curves ease lockdown restrictions.
Thailand’s first few travel-bubble pacts, with nations such as Japan and Australia, probably will not be ready until at least August, Mr Phiphat said. Thailand also is mulling a program to allow visitors from specific Chinese cities and provinces, he said.
Thailand’s borders are currently locked to all but essential travel through June 30. Most restrictions on domestic travel were lifted this month.
The goal is for Thailand to have 10 million foreign arrivals this year -- one-quarter of the 2019 tally -- Phiphat said. Total tourism revenue is forecast at 1.23 trillion baht (US$39.6 billion) this year, down 59% from last year.
The tourism sector will account for about 6% of gross domestic product in 2020, down from 18% last year, Phiphat said. The dearth of travelers is one reason Thailand’s economy is forecast to contract as much as 6% this year. The government is rolling out stimulus worth 15% of GDP, according to World Bank estimates.
- Pink Dolphins and turtles -
A lockdown, social distancing, tight control of borders and near-universal adoption of face masks enabled Thailand to restrict its official virus tally to just over 3,000, with 58 deaths.
The government has recently relaxed the lockdown and has detected no local transmission of the novel coronavirus for more than three weeks.
Mr Phiphat said Thailand sees the crisis as an opportunity to address problems that existed before the pandemic, including over-crowding at some beaches and temples and environmental destruction.
In the quiet months without foreign travelers, sea turtles have returned to lay eggs on Thai beaches, pink dolphins have been seen frolicking with fishermen and manatees swam to shore to snack on sea grass, Phiphat said.
“If we don’t use this chance to create the most benefit for the industry, Thailand will lose out,” he said. “This is an opportunity to reset the entire tourism system.”
https://www.bangkokpost.com/thailand/ge ... he-wealthy
The government's tourism-revival strategy is to target big spenders seeking privacy and social distancing in the Covid-19 era, rather than try to attract a large number of visitors, according to Tourism Minister Phiphat Ratchakitprakarn.
The pandemic provides an opportunity to reset the sector, which had become reliant on Chinese groups and backpackers, he said in an interview with Bloomberg News.
Once the country’s borders are reopened and so-called travel bubbles are agreed upon, marketing efforts will be geared toward wealthier individuals who want holidays with minimal risks.
The government will initially allow a small number of arrivals, such as some business executives and medical tourists. It is also working with the travel industry to identify and invite individuals in target demographics, which will probably include previous visitors to luxury resorts in the islands of Phuket, Samui, Phangan and Phi Phi, the minister said.
Phuket is “a prototype” because it has all the needed facilities.
People may be required to pass Covid-19 screenings before traveling and upon arriving, choose a single resort island and remain for a minimum period of time.
The “high-end visitors” will be able to travel freely while they’re on the island and be allowed to leave for home or other destinations in Thailand once the minimum 14 days have passed. The country plans to court such visitors, possibly during the winter months of November-February when European and American travelers seek out warmer climates, Mr Phiphat said.
“One person can easily spend as much as five by staying at the finest hotels,” he said, adding that full and free travel should become a “thing of the past.”
Thailand is not the only country grappling with the question of how and when to reopen for visitors. Across Southeast Asia -- one of the most tourism-reliant regions in the world -- hotels and travel businesses are slowly kicking into gear as countries that have succeeded in flattening their virus curves ease lockdown restrictions.
Thailand’s first few travel-bubble pacts, with nations such as Japan and Australia, probably will not be ready until at least August, Mr Phiphat said. Thailand also is mulling a program to allow visitors from specific Chinese cities and provinces, he said.
Thailand’s borders are currently locked to all but essential travel through June 30. Most restrictions on domestic travel were lifted this month.
The goal is for Thailand to have 10 million foreign arrivals this year -- one-quarter of the 2019 tally -- Phiphat said. Total tourism revenue is forecast at 1.23 trillion baht (US$39.6 billion) this year, down 59% from last year.
The tourism sector will account for about 6% of gross domestic product in 2020, down from 18% last year, Phiphat said. The dearth of travelers is one reason Thailand’s economy is forecast to contract as much as 6% this year. The government is rolling out stimulus worth 15% of GDP, according to World Bank estimates.
- Pink Dolphins and turtles -
A lockdown, social distancing, tight control of borders and near-universal adoption of face masks enabled Thailand to restrict its official virus tally to just over 3,000, with 58 deaths.
The government has recently relaxed the lockdown and has detected no local transmission of the novel coronavirus for more than three weeks.
Mr Phiphat said Thailand sees the crisis as an opportunity to address problems that existed before the pandemic, including over-crowding at some beaches and temples and environmental destruction.
In the quiet months without foreign travelers, sea turtles have returned to lay eggs on Thai beaches, pink dolphins have been seen frolicking with fishermen and manatees swam to shore to snack on sea grass, Phiphat said.
“If we don’t use this chance to create the most benefit for the industry, Thailand will lose out,” he said. “This is an opportunity to reset the entire tourism system.”
May you be in heaven half an hour before the devil know`s you`re dead!
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Dannie Boy
- Hero
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- Location: Closer to Cha Am than Hua Hin
Re: Thailand tourist slump continues
That’ll be a big help for the thousands of 1-3000 Baht a night hotels that will be forced out of business along with hundreds of thousands of employees
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Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Re: Thailand tourist slump continues
Sounds like North Korea.full and free travel should become a “thing of the past.”
It will also be the death knell for the hundreds of emerging tourist destinations such as Bangsaphan that are not Phuket or Samui, or within driving distance of Bangkok.
Who is the happier man, he who has braved the storm of life and lived or he who has stayed securely on shore and merely existed? - Hunter S Thompson
Post Co-vid Thai Tourist strategy - raised my eyebrows!
"The government's tourism-revival strategy is to target big spenders seeking privacy and social distancing in the Covid-19 era, rather than try to attract a large number of visitors, according to Tourism Minister Phiphat Ratchakitprakarn." See link below.
My first reaction was ...jing loi ! Talk about hand break turn! Have I miss understood?
https://www.bangkokpost.com/thailand/ge ... y#cxrecs_s
My first reaction was ...jing loi ! Talk about hand break turn! Have I miss understood?
https://www.bangkokpost.com/thailand/ge ... y#cxrecs_s
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handdrummer
- Addict
- Posts: 5389
- Joined: Mon Mar 03, 2014 11:58 am
Re: Thailand tourist slump continues
Ah yes, lets keep out the hoi poloi. I'm glad I did my traveling when I could take a freighter to wherever I wanted to go and hitchhike across countries. I feel sorry for those who are young and can't afford to travel and who will become more myopic about the world and it's people. Not a good sign for world peace. The manipulation by governments and corporations continues. Never mind those cameras, they're there for your protection. Yes sir, yes sir, three bags full.
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dtaai-maai
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- Joined: Mon Jul 30, 2007 10:00 pm
- Location: UK, Robin Hood country
Re: Thailand tourist slump continues
Experience suggests travel doesn't necessarily broaden the mind. You only have to read this forum to confirm that!handdrummer wrote: ↑Fri Jun 19, 2020 11:16 pm I feel sorry for those who are young and can't afford to travel and who will become more myopic about the world and it's people.
This is the way