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  1. #1

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    dirtydog's Avatar
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    Pattaya - High season tourists down by 50%

    High season tourists down by 50%
    Ariyawat Nuamsawat
    Tourist arrivals in Pattaya have decreased by more than 50% in this high season from the number this time last year and the outlook is not encouraging, according to the Pattaya Business and Tourism Association.

    Asian tourists especially are staying away in droves fearing political violence. Visitors from elsewhere are also being kept away by the high price of fuel sending up air travel costs.

    Jamroon Wisawachaipan, chairman of the Pattaya Business and Tourism Association, told a meeting of business and tourism leaders at the Green Park Resort, organized by his association on October 30, that much needs to be done to remedy the situation which may even become worse next year.

    Thanet Supornsaharungsi, chief advisor of the association, reported that hotel reservations and occupancy were down by 50-70%, compared to the same time last year when all hotels were full for the high season.

    Arrivals from the European and Russian markets have also dropped by 50% and “there is no positive sign that the situation will get better,” he said.

    Thanet said that the total number of tourists is expected to remain at just 50-60% level this season compared to last year, if the political crisis remains and there is not “serious policy to deal with the problem.”

    The government needs to provide significant support because tourism cannot depend only on the entrepreneurs who are doing all they can to promote business.

    The most important solution is to find a way for the government to reach a compromise with the opposition People’s Alliance for Democracy (PAD) regarding the political crisis. And, as soon as possible.

    Airlines, especially Thai Air International, need to decrease the price of tickets which were doubled following oil price increases. But the fares have now not followed the fuel price down, Thanet said.

    Rattanachai Sutidechanai, Pattaya City councilor, on behalf of the chief commissioner of Pattaya Tourism and Sports, said the city is helping to promote many tourism activities, such as the Loy Krathong Festival, Eastern Cow Breed Exhibition, International Balloon Festival, windsurfing and LPGA golf tournaments, the countdown to New Year’s Eve and the 2008 Ride for Peace.

    Patchararin Sawettarat, assistant director of the Tourism Authority of Thailand Region 3 (Pattaya), said TAT is working hard to promote Pattaya tourism to both the domestic and international markets with new campaigns.

    Pattaya City has allocated 6,000,000 baht, central TAT 3,000,000 baht and the Chonburi Provincial Administration has also given some money for an international promotion campaign and advertisements, which has a total budget of 18.5 million baht, Patchararin said.

    TAT will travel on a promotional tour to Germany, Vietnam, Dubai, India, and Russia, and advertisements are being made in Japan, Australia, and Russia to create a positive image of Thailand in those countries.

    The assistant director then gave details of a host of upcoming events in the next year in Thailand which would attract tourists.

    The domestic market is allocated 6,000,000 baht for advertisements in magazines, print ads, radio spots and websites, the main targets being young people and family groups.

    Patchararin said the “Traveling in Thailand to Refresh the Economy” campaign was expected to expand the domestic travel market by 5%, aiming for 87 million tourists who will generate 3.88 trillion baht.

    Pattaya Mail

  2. #2
    Thailand Expat
    Mid's Avatar
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    Thanet said that the total number of tourists is expected to remain at just 50-60% level this season compared to last year, if the political crisis remains and there is not “serious policy to deal with the problem.”
    forget the if , too late for this season even if settled tomorrow

  3. #3
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    It was quiet last week

  4. #4
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    Quote Originally Posted by dirtydog
    TAT will travel on a promotional tour to Germany, Vietnam, Dubai, India, and Russia, and advertisements are being made in Japan, Australia, and Russia to create a positive image of Thailand in those countries.
    Nice joyride for him . . . and lie about the 'positive' image . . . why does he think people are too stupid to read the news and read their local foreign office advice?

  5. #5
    On a walkabout Loy Toy's Avatar
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    My customer from Malaysia called panicking because of the bomb that went off yesterday in Bangkok.
    I told him it was nothing to worry about (but he was) as the news was splashed all over the newspapers in KL and Singapore. Thankfully he trusts my judgement and has decided to come and sign off his project.

    Really I am fed up with making excuses for this country and at every turn.

    It's about time the powers at be decide for the country and not just for their own selfish fvcking greed.

  6. #6
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    Smeg's Avatar
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    Everywhere in Pattaya will put their prices up to ensure that income still covers costs. Thai business logic....

  7. #7
    Newbie Little Black Duck's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by Mid View Post
    Thanet said that the total number of tourists is expected to remain at just 50-60% level this season compared to last year, if the political crisis remains and there is not “serious policy to deal with the problem.”
    forget the if , too late for this season even if settled tomorrow

    Hi Mid Old Buddy big Hi from Little Black Duck..

  8. #8
    ding ding ding
    Spin's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by dirtydog
    Visitors from elsewhere are also being kept away by the high price of fuel sending up air travel costs.
    Rubbish! air fairs have plunged, I saw Bangkok to Heathrow return over the christmas period for 27,000 baht on Kuwait Air website.

    I think the main reason for the lack of visitors here is the fact that people just dont have much spare money. The article waffles on about political issues but the average Joe Mongerloid isnt gonna stop coming here because of that.
    Originally Posted by Smeg
    ... I like to fantasise sometimes, and I lie very occasionally... my superior home, job, wealth, freedom, car, girl, retirement age, appearance, satisfaction with birth country etc etc... Over the past few years I have put together over 100 pages on notes on thaiophilia...

  9. #9
    Thailand Expat
    Mid's Avatar
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    hi LBD , welcome aboard

    what you doing here ?

  10. #10
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    No wonder

    No wonder that I was able to get such a discount at the hotel I booked in December.

    It has to hurt with that drop in tourism in the high season.

  11. #11
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    Don't fully agree with you there Spin, at least continental Europe is spending like there's no tomorrow, esp. Germany and Switzerland. People adjust their spending on their own job prospects and future salary expectations, and since there is relatively little incentive to save or invest in stocks at the moment people just "invest" in a new car, electronics or housing. Christmas sales are expected to be on a record high, topping even that of last year. The reformation of the financial market here was healthy, could have been more so without all the aid packages but well... The recession is said to be short in Germany, lasting only 1 year and then taking off again. So the problems in Europe aren't as structural as in the US, people in general have a healthy saving rate and aren't overspending that much. Of course a lot depends on the exports to the US and Asia ( which in turn heavily relies on consumption in the US too...) But overall people in continental Europe have not decreased their spending, the opposite is the case.
    Swiss book slightly more holidays than last year, but overall the financial crisis doesn't have an effect on tourism here so far.
    Another thing is Swiss tourism, especially Russians are cancelling a lot of their bookings, and the financial crisis is hitting Russia especially hard because of their dependancy on high commodity prices:
    Financial crisis chills holiday sentiments in St Moritz - Mail & Guardian Online: The smart news source
    So the question is if Russians only cancel their expensive swiss holidays and go to cheapo places or if the cancellation is general... so difficult to say why Russians aren't coming to Thailand.
    It also doesn't look good in the US and Australia concerning tourism, according to a swift research I've just done:
    Financial crisis hits holiday bookings - News - Travel - smh.com.au
    Bye-bye business travelers - Business travel
    Therefore the only way to measure the impact of the political crisis in Thailand and not the global financial crisis would be to know the number of arrivals of Germans and Swiss in Pattaya and/or Thailand in general.

  12. #12
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    Bexar County Stud's Avatar
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    Too bad Thais won't consider dropping ridiculous high-season prices in order to stimulate local tourism.

  13. #13
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    [at] Bexar County Stud: Yeah, I'd consider a short holiday around christmas if it weren't for the high season prices.

  14. #14
    ding ding ding
    Spin's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by plorf
    The recession is said to be short in Germany, lasting only 1 year and then taking off again
    Have they signed contracts to export goods and services to the martians?
    Germany will be in recession for the same amount of time as the countries that import its stuff. Granted, Germany is lucky in that it has no house price collapse to compound its situation which means consumers still have a bit of feelgood factor left in them.

  15. #15
    Banned Muadib's Avatar
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    Air fares from the US to Thailand have almost doubled during high season and have / will not adjust for reduced fuel costs... Hell, they're still imposing fuel surcharges from the major hubs... Ridiculous...

    Stick a fork in high season in the LOS... All done... Not just Thailand, but world-wide... People are frightened and rightfully so... They're not sure if they will have a job next week, much less if they will be spending the holidays in Thailand...

    The political upheaval is almost laughable as they continue to drive tourist away...
    Give a man a match, and he'll be warm for a minute, but set him on fire, and he'll be warm for the rest of his life.

  16. #16
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    Quote Originally Posted by Bexar County Stud View Post
    Too bad Thais won't consider dropping ridiculous high-season prices in order to stimulate local tourism.
    What, cheaper than 500?

  17. #17
    I am in Jail

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    All good news for diehards the less crowds the better but I do not see where any savings will occur for the regulars except maybe with the better quality ladies
    Last edited by jim1176; 15-11-2008 at 03:00 AM.

  18. #18
    Thailand Expat
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    Quote Originally Posted by keda View Post
    Quote Originally Posted by Bexar County Stud View Post
    Too bad Thais won't consider dropping ridiculous high-season prices in order to stimulate local tourism.
    What, cheaper than 500?
    The 500 baht backpacker and shagger pits may be fine for you, but I prefer something a lot nicer while on Xmas holiday, fuck you very much.

  19. #19
    Tax Consultant
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    Quote Originally Posted by Mid View Post
    hi LBD , welcome aboard

    what you doing here ?
    The world awaits a response from the Little Black Duck.

  20. #20
    Thailand Expat
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    Quote Originally Posted by Bexar County Stud View Post
    Quote Originally Posted by keda View Post
    Quote Originally Posted by Bexar County Stud View Post
    Too bad Thais won't consider dropping ridiculous high-season prices in order to stimulate local tourism.
    What, cheaper than 500?
    The 500 baht backpacker and shagger pits may be fine for you, but I prefer something a lot nicer while on Xmas holiday, fuck you very much.
    Fair enough, have a great time but don't forget the need for protection even in the toff shagger pits.

  21. #21
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    I work for a company,maintaining `rich peoples`gardens. Two of the clients,who usually go to Thailand for xmas are not going this year,reason stated was political situation,not financial.
    For myself,I was planning on coming for 2/3 months,I`ve cut that in half. Reason: financial,the company have started laying staff off,although my job`s relatively safe.
    I know 3 couples who are coming to Thailand this xmas,who have never been before,I`ve told them to avoid large crowds and have a great holiday,their big worry is the plunging Pound!

  22. #22
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    Fabian's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by Spin View Post
    Granted, Germany is lucky in that it has no house price collapse to compound its situation which means consumers still have a bit of feelgood factor left in them.
    We don't have that housing price bubble because the market was sluggish even before the economical prices. Now prices are going down but not at such a sharp rate.

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