PHUKET: Phuket's Governor today set up a committee to investigate whether standardising prices for products from latex shops will end a battle for customers on the holiday island.
Governor Nisit Jansomwong was attempting to address the issue raised by about 60 people who attended a meeting following the loss of business at latex outlets in Phuket's Kata-Karon district.
It appears that operators of tours from China who once brought tourists to the west coast destination have opted to try other destinations, leaving the once-popular spot facing a lower than normal low season.
Whether any kind of imposition of standard prices across Phuket would be an answer to Kata-Karon's problems could be resolved in the next week, based on the committee's investigation.
Latex mattresses and pillows have become a purchase many Chinese tourists make while they are on Phuket. Because Phuket is the hub of a rubber planting region, the items are considered to be a practical memento.
Shops all over the island are geared to post the products back to China swiftly.
However, the real issue is whether Phuket businesses can expect to have market certainty in an era when consumers rule.
Destinations that fail to compete on price are bound to lose out to competitors.
Standardising prices is a measure that can be imposed to ensure the cost of Phuket latex products remains the same at all island outlets.
The question is, can the price of latex products be controlled in the neighboring provinces of Phang Nga and Krabi, or in other countries in the region where rubber is produced?
We venture to suggest that the answer is No.
The alternative is to tell the outlets seeking a sure fire income the unpalatable truth - that the only option is to become more competitive on price and quality.
The same could be said for all of Phuket.
Kata-Karon is one place on Phuket where price control is a philosophy. Tuk-tuks and taxis have maintained non-negotiable fares here for years, despite false impressions created by officials that specified fares are the beginning of a process that travellers can then negotiate.
Haggling is what Phuket vendors have always done well.
It may be time, if Kata-Karon businesses are to once again find a ready market for latex outlets, tuk-tuks and taxis and other local businesses, to once again embrace the haggling tradition.
Governor Nisit Jansomwong was attempting to address the issue raised by about 60 people who attended a meeting following the loss of business at latex outlets in Phuket's Kata-Karon district.
It appears that operators of tours from China who once brought tourists to the west coast destination have opted to try other destinations, leaving the once-popular spot facing a lower than normal low season.
Whether any kind of imposition of standard prices across Phuket would be an answer to Kata-Karon's problems could be resolved in the next week, based on the committee's investigation.
Latex mattresses and pillows have become a purchase many Chinese tourists make while they are on Phuket. Because Phuket is the hub of a rubber planting region, the items are considered to be a practical memento.
Shops all over the island are geared to post the products back to China swiftly.
However, the real issue is whether Phuket businesses can expect to have market certainty in an era when consumers rule.
Destinations that fail to compete on price are bound to lose out to competitors.
Standardising prices is a measure that can be imposed to ensure the cost of Phuket latex products remains the same at all island outlets.
The question is, can the price of latex products be controlled in the neighboring provinces of Phang Nga and Krabi, or in other countries in the region where rubber is produced?
We venture to suggest that the answer is No.
The alternative is to tell the outlets seeking a sure fire income the unpalatable truth - that the only option is to become more competitive on price and quality.
The same could be said for all of Phuket.
Kata-Karon is one place on Phuket where price control is a philosophy. Tuk-tuks and taxis have maintained non-negotiable fares here for years, despite false impressions created by officials that specified fares are the beginning of a process that travellers can then negotiate.
Haggling is what Phuket vendors have always done well.
It may be time, if Kata-Karon businesses are to once again find a ready market for latex outlets, tuk-tuks and taxis and other local businesses, to once again embrace the haggling tradition.
Unless they can guarantee price for whole country (including commission to tour operators) forget it. Not going to work
Posted by Lashay on June 5, 2015 04:00