THE GOVERNOR of the Tourism Authority of Thailand was on Phuket today, if not exactly looking for quality tourists then at least attempting to lay the groundwork for attracting a lot more in the near future.
Surapol Svetsreni added his own thoughts to the general image of what constitutes a ''quality'' tourist of the kind that Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva urged Thailand to attract earlier in the week.
Quality tourists, it seems, not only have money - even sex tourists often have that - but they also care about the culture. Knowledge and the desire to interact with real people in a different culture are keys, he told Phuketwan.
The problem is, of course, that Phuket does not have the option to pick and choose. As fast as every five-star can be built, discount prices for package tours strike appeal for people who sometimes haven't done their research and are on Phuket without a care for the culture.
The TAT Governor does not seem too concerned either about rising prices, making the point that this can provide a ''first gate'' for ensuring that tourists are of a certain quality, at least in terms of their spending power.
The other issue raised this week by the PM, Thailand's need to retain a balance with its environment, also strikes a chord with Governor Surapol, who recognises that the natural assets of coral reefs and beaches around the Phuket region need to be protected.
Governor Surapol said that the TAT recognised the need to balance income with the preservation of natural assets and was consciously seeking a market among people who were likely to be more thoughtful in their approach: women's group tours and people who would be inclined to appreciate Phuket's culture.
Governor Surapol was on Phuket to open a progressive new Tourism Learning Centre at the Tessaban Plookpanya School in Phuket City.
Children aged eight to 17 are taught the English language and a variety of skills at the centre, including batik painting and face massage, Phuket history and culture, as well as how to interact effectively with visitors as student volunteer guides.
The youth project, funded from 2004 tsunami donations, will also be carried out in Krabi and Phang Nga. With the TAT Governor at today's gathering were the Mayor of Phuket City, Phuket City Mayor Somjai Suwansupana, and local head of the TAT and the Ministry of Tourism and Sport.
Phuket Red Shirt Turnout Strong as Election LoomsSurapol Svetsreni added his own thoughts to the general image of what constitutes a ''quality'' tourist of the kind that Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva urged Thailand to attract earlier in the week.
Quality tourists, it seems, not only have money - even sex tourists often have that - but they also care about the culture. Knowledge and the desire to interact with real people in a different culture are keys, he told Phuketwan.
The problem is, of course, that Phuket does not have the option to pick and choose. As fast as every five-star can be built, discount prices for package tours strike appeal for people who sometimes haven't done their research and are on Phuket without a care for the culture.
The TAT Governor does not seem too concerned either about rising prices, making the point that this can provide a ''first gate'' for ensuring that tourists are of a certain quality, at least in terms of their spending power.
The other issue raised this week by the PM, Thailand's need to retain a balance with its environment, also strikes a chord with Governor Surapol, who recognises that the natural assets of coral reefs and beaches around the Phuket region need to be protected.
Governor Surapol said that the TAT recognised the need to balance income with the preservation of natural assets and was consciously seeking a market among people who were likely to be more thoughtful in their approach: women's group tours and people who would be inclined to appreciate Phuket's culture.
Governor Surapol was on Phuket to open a progressive new Tourism Learning Centre at the Tessaban Plookpanya School in Phuket City.
Children aged eight to 17 are taught the English language and a variety of skills at the centre, including batik painting and face massage, Phuket history and culture, as well as how to interact effectively with visitors as student volunteer guides.
The youth project, funded from 2004 tsunami donations, will also be carried out in Krabi and Phang Nga. With the TAT Governor at today's gathering were the Mayor of Phuket City, Phuket City Mayor Somjai Suwansupana, and local head of the TAT and the Ministry of Tourism and Sport.
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What exactly constitutes a "quality tourist"? The multitude Chinese and Russians on their zero dollar trips? Hardly, no money to spend and everything paid for in advance. In any case they are dragged around in foreign owned company tour buses to foreign owned restaurants and businesses.
The rich Euro and other "whites"? Hardly, they pay for their hotels in advance in their own countries and pretty much eat and drink in their predominantly foreign owned hotels, usually paying on credit cards which are billed to foreign companies.
Who then?
A number of years ago I was told by someone in the tourism business that the "best" tourists to welcome were actually the backpackers! Why? Simple, they may not have a lot to spend, but every baht they do tends to go straight into the LOCAL economy. They are also far less likely to use tuk tuks or jet skis. They get my vote.
Posted by Peter on March 4, 2011 22:18