ที่มา: หนังสือพิมพ์ The Bangkok Post Thursday January 24, 2008
Global slowdown? Bring on the tourists
By Chatrudee Theparat
The Tourism Authority of Thailand still believes that revenue from foreign tourists would be maintained this year despite slower economic growth, as the industry has shifted its main focus to the premium market and high-quality products.
TAT governor Phornsiri Manoharn said Thailand's revenue from foreign tourists, targeted at 600 billion baht, would likely meet expectations despite a global economic slowdown.
The TAT has a target of 15.7 million foreign visitors this year, up 6% from 14.5 million in 2007. Last year's arrival figure slightly missed the target of 14.8 million because of domestic political uncertainties.
However, revenue from foreign visitors met the target of 547 billion baht.
In 2007, domestic tourists contributed about 373 billion baht from 82 million trips. The TAT projected revenue from local tourists to increase to 385 billion baht this year from 83 million trips.
According to Mrs Phornsiri, Thailand has upgraded tourism products in several areas, particularly boutique hotels and high-quality spas that could attract more visitors.
Thailand is also ready to commission a more aggressive marketing plan this year in emerging markets including India, Russia, Eastern Europe, South Africa, China and Asean.
For the Asean market in particular, marketing activities would be beefed up in Indonesia, the Philippines and Vietnam apart from Malaysia and Singapore. Last year the TAT established three new offices: in Moscow, Dubai and Ho Chi Minh City. It also plans to set up a new office in Shanghai by the middle of this year.
Mrs Phornsiri estimated that the number of Asian visitors to improve this year because of the improved political situation. Asian visitors to Thailand via Suvarnabhumi airport in 2007 fell by 1.44% to 4.79 million from 4.86 million in 2006. The largest drops came among visitors from Malaysia, Singapore, China and Taiwan.
Oscar P. Palabyab of the Asean Marketing Task Force said the statistics in 2006 showed that Thailand ranked as the top destination in Asean among foreign visitors. For example, UK visitors to Thailand reached 850,685, well above the 110,412 visitors to Indonesia and 488,078 to Singapore.
Anake Srishevachart, president of the Thai Travel Agents' Association, added that Thailand would likely hit its foreign tourist target this year. But, he warned, TAT's limited promotional budget made it essential to spend the money wisely.
ที่มา: หนังสือพิมพ์ The Bangkok Post Thursday January 24, 2008
