News Forum - Tourism sector not getting its hopes up over domestic travel

[Thaiger]

Those working in Thailand’s tourism sector aren’t getting their hopes up about a big boost to domestic travel any time soon. Wutthiphum Jurangkool, chief executive at Nok Air, says ongoing concerns about Covid-19, coupled with weak purchasing power, will make this November very different to last. “Domestic tourism reached its peak last November, thanks to low infection rates and the improving travel mood driven by many marketing campaigns and government stimulus schemes, but this year might not see such a volume again.” The Bangkok Post reports that a lack of consistency in the entry requirements of each province is proving […]

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[SomtamMcSporran]

Good domestic deals these days! 

[DoUKnowWhoIAm]

 Slightly changed policies at a resort we recently stayed in, my 5 year old son is now an adult!

[Thommo]

4 minutes ago, DoUKnowWhoIAm said:

 Slightly changed policies at a resort we recently stayed in, my 5 year old son is now an adult!

I guess kids do grow up quickly these days 

 

[Bob20]

With the current situation of low vaccination rates and high numbers of infections, firstly it's not advisable for large numbers of people to travel all over. Secondly, speaking for the CM area don't expect a lively experience as in the city nearly everything is closed (even parts of "opened" national parks in the province are still closed). Once darkness falls the city is deserted completely. And thirdly, I don't know how they measure the 40-50% occupancy, but I presume they don't stay in their rooms. Although you do see more out-of-province cars, you absolutely don't see large numbers of visitors justifying 40-50% occupancy rate. Perhaps it was done by TAT and they meant 4-5%?

[JamesE]

1 minute ago, Bob20 said:

Perhaps it was done by TAT and they meant 4-5%?

If TAT said it, it would be 400-500%.

[Dedinbed]

3 hours ago, Thaiger said:

Those working in Thailand’s tourism sector aren’t getting their hopes up about a big boost to domestic travel any time soon.

Aren't getting their hopes up .. try some viagra an' if it's still a bit flaccid a couple of lollipop sticks .. 

[AlexPTY]

Booked, paid and got a confirmation, few hours later:

"Dear Guest, We have received your request and added it to your reservation. Please understand that this may be subject to availability on your check-in date, but we will do our best to accommodate you."

[Soidog]

5 hours ago, Bob20 said:

you absolutely don't see large numbers of visitors justifying 40-50% occupancy rate. Perhaps it was done by TAT and they meant 4-5%?

I think TAT have changed the calculation. It’s now done weekly, hence just a single night is counted as someone staying at the hotel in that week. They are also counting the rooms used by staff

[Stonker]

10 hours ago, Thaiger said:

Those working in Thailand’s tourism sector aren’t getting their hopes up about a big boost to domestic travel any time soon.

The only hopes anyone around me is getting up "about a big boost to domestic travel" is that it doesn't happen "any time soon", and that includes most of those involved in domestic tourism.

Where I live is a prime zone for domestic tourism and just in my local district there are usually literally thousands of Thai tourists every day in high season, which would normally be starting now and peaking around New Year when there are no rooms, resorts or home stays available for a 20 km radius.

All the tourist sites, from scenic views to caves and waterfalls are normally busy or packed, with tour buses going up or down every few minutes all day. This year, though, they've been closed for months as that's what everyone local wants and even if tourists do come there's nothing for them to see as they can't get there without local transport (a tractor) or a guide, and the signs telling them where the few places are that they can drive to by themselves have been covered up by signs saying that they're closed due to Covid and the entrances roped off (with more signs).

There's a brand new visitor centre up the hill, with a massive new outdoor TV maybe 8m x 5, and some new wierd giant electric tigers, giraffes and dinosaurs with nodding heads and wagging tails, but no tourists and that's how people want it to stay until they're safely vaccinated.

Tourists simply aren't wanted yet, and when a group of expats on motorbikes turned up there last week demanding to know why it wasn't open as everything was open in Phuket, they were simply but politely told "this isn't Phuket".

 

[Convert54]

Domestic tourism has been excrementaly ( no typo) been reduced in potential as the number of people with excess disposable income or the increased caution in dispensing of it has mimicked the economic reality.

Prior to covid there was a gradual reduction occurring in what had been a rampant tourist market that had started to focus on and cater to a much higher income bracket. IMO I remain unsure if that was reactionary or deliberate. Maybe not so obvious in Thailand with the variables in general venues for tourists but I have been involved in the Hotel industry in Bali which saw a massive proliferation in ,specifically, upgraded standards of accommodation that became commercially so competitive and cheap it became financially nightmarish. I was fortunate in that my Indonesian partner and I were able to withdraw without loss from a particularly unusual lease agreement of a budget Hotel.

Across the board here in Thailand I can understand the calamity that covid has imposed on many levels of the population that also at different levels had been extracting an income from tourism. I have as much empathy for the proliferate casual workers as I do for those who had invested in new ventures involving massive debt in probably many cases with little future prospect debt servicing due to a stifled market that has been so abruptly destroyed and therefore singularly in that event nullifying any consideration of wrongful business choices .

Now such people who rightfully or mistakenly speculated on a potential have been reduced to the same or worse financial demise as those who may have gleaned an income from the planned potential enterprise.

 

 

[Marc26]

3 hours ago, Convert54 said:

Domestic tourism has been excrementaly ( no typo) been reduced in potential as the number of people with excess disposable income or the increased caution in dispensing of it has mimicked the economic reality.

Prior to covid there was a gradual reduction occurring in what had been a rampant tourist market that had started to focus on and cater to a much higher income bracket. IMO I remain unsure if that was reactionary or deliberate. Maybe not so obvious in Thailand with the variables in general venues for tourists

I actually felt it was opposite, but could be a bit anecdotal on my part as well

I noticed a lot more Thais seeming to go away on weekends, more so than they usually did

 

Just my observation and could be a small sample size as well...........

[HiuMak]

6 hours ago, Marc26 said:

I actually felt it was opposite, but could be a bit anecdotal on my part as well

I noticed a lot more Thais seeming to go away on weekends, more so than they usually did

Just my observation and could be a small sample size as well...........

They have been locked up too long...