TOURISM leaders on Phuket are growing weary of the constant cycle of damage and repair that is ripping the industry apart, Phuketwan was told today.
Having just squandered 20 million baht on a road show to China that will now produce no new visitors, the frustration of local Tourism Association of Thailand director Setthapan Putthani is typical.
''It's time the Government solved some of the country's real problems,'' he said. ''Why do these crises keep happening over and over?''
China, in reaction to gunfire on the streets in Bangkok at the weekend as the red shirts protested, urged its citizens to come homer or avoid trips to Thailand.
The issuing of that alert and similar warnings by about two dozen other countries undid months of hard work, some of it performed at senior level in China by the Thai Foreign Minister, Kasit Pirom.
China's travel warning, imposed in November during the occupation of both major Bangkok airports, was lifted after high-level lobbying just before Chinese New Year in February.
''Phuket has the best hospitality in the world,'' Khun Setthapan said. ''Sun, sand, service, the Andaman region has it all.
''But security? When something happens in Bangkok, the whole country suffers.''
Estimates of a lower than normal low season on Phuket, largely because of the world economic downturn, have now dropped even further.
If resorts on Phuket average 30 percent occupancy between May and November, they will be doing well. Other destinations in Thailand will be fortunate to reach half that.
Thousands of jobs that resorts looked like saving as recently as last week are now on the line.
Apichart Sankary, president of the Association of Thai Travel Agents, said: ''Layoffs are inevitable. We may lose up to 200,000 people this year if the situation is not resolved.''
Thailand needs to work at its international image to restore its tourism industry, said Methee Tanmanatragul, president of the Thai Hotels Association, Southern Chapter.
He welcomed the ending of hostilities in the streets of Bangkok.
''Thailand needs to be seen to be stable,'' he said, ''and it's difficult to see that just yet.''
Internal disasters over the past three years, from the 2006 coup to the Phuket airport siege to long blockades at Bangkok airports and the Pattaya Asean conference takeover, all highlighted the country's instability, Khun Methee said.
''The government has emerged from the Bangkok showdown with considerable credibility but it now needs to address the tourism industry's requirements quickly,'' he said.
''Safety and stability are what visitors require. Good value comes second. Somebody needs to apologise to tourists for the instability of the past three years.''
Tourism at War: The Fight to Save an Industry
Latest In Thailand, tourism always becomes the first innocent victim of political unrest. One well known industry name tells Phuketwan about his own battle on the streets of Bangkok.
Tourism at War: The Fight to Save an Industry
Phuket Perfectly Safe, Say Travel Leaders
Latest Travel warnings about Thailand from a brace of nations fail to take account of direct flights and the vast geographical and political differences between Bangkok and Phuket.
Phuket Perfectly Safe, Say Travel Leaders
Red Shirts Retreat: Bangkok Protest Abandoned
Latest The traditional Songkran Family Day holiday saw red shirts formally abandon their 18 day Bangkok occupation, halting clashes with troops and residents.
Red Shirts Retreat: Bangkok Protest Abandoned
Bangkok Two 'Killed by Red Shirts'
Update Troops and red shirts skirmished on Bangkok streets before dawn. About 9.40pm, one man was shot dead, first fatality of the street confrontation.
Bangkok Two 'Killed by Red Shirts'
Phuket's Turn Next for the Asean Summit?
Analysis Pattaya and Bangkok have so far been homes to an Asean Plus Six gathering that has yet to happen. Island Phuket remains the main chance for a successful summit.
Phuket's Turn Next for the Asean Summit?
Songkran Boost: Phuket Tourism in Tailspin
Latest Enjoy Songkran. The New Year may not bring another highlight for a while. Latest figures for Phuket flights show the upsides are now a long way back, and a long way forward.
Songkran Boost: Phuket Tourism in Tailspin
Phuket's Drop Tops Global Declines: Survey
Latest There are some polls Phuket does not want to win and this is one of them. Looking on the bright side, the island now offers great value for European holidaymakers.
Phuket's Drop Tops Global Declines: Survey
Phuket New Year Travel Boost: China Lifts Warning
Latest No better New Year gifts could come for Phuket and the Andaman than the lifting of the travel warning advisory by China. It comes with a package of goodies to boost tourism.
Phuket New Year Travel Boost: China Lifts Warning
Having just squandered 20 million baht on a road show to China that will now produce no new visitors, the frustration of local Tourism Association of Thailand director Setthapan Putthani is typical.
''It's time the Government solved some of the country's real problems,'' he said. ''Why do these crises keep happening over and over?''
China, in reaction to gunfire on the streets in Bangkok at the weekend as the red shirts protested, urged its citizens to come homer or avoid trips to Thailand.
The issuing of that alert and similar warnings by about two dozen other countries undid months of hard work, some of it performed at senior level in China by the Thai Foreign Minister, Kasit Pirom.
China's travel warning, imposed in November during the occupation of both major Bangkok airports, was lifted after high-level lobbying just before Chinese New Year in February.
''Phuket has the best hospitality in the world,'' Khun Setthapan said. ''Sun, sand, service, the Andaman region has it all.
''But security? When something happens in Bangkok, the whole country suffers.''
Estimates of a lower than normal low season on Phuket, largely because of the world economic downturn, have now dropped even further.
If resorts on Phuket average 30 percent occupancy between May and November, they will be doing well. Other destinations in Thailand will be fortunate to reach half that.
Thousands of jobs that resorts looked like saving as recently as last week are now on the line.
Apichart Sankary, president of the Association of Thai Travel Agents, said: ''Layoffs are inevitable. We may lose up to 200,000 people this year if the situation is not resolved.''
Thailand needs to work at its international image to restore its tourism industry, said Methee Tanmanatragul, president of the Thai Hotels Association, Southern Chapter.
He welcomed the ending of hostilities in the streets of Bangkok.
''Thailand needs to be seen to be stable,'' he said, ''and it's difficult to see that just yet.''
Internal disasters over the past three years, from the 2006 coup to the Phuket airport siege to long blockades at Bangkok airports and the Pattaya Asean conference takeover, all highlighted the country's instability, Khun Methee said.
''The government has emerged from the Bangkok showdown with considerable credibility but it now needs to address the tourism industry's requirements quickly,'' he said.
''Safety and stability are what visitors require. Good value comes second. Somebody needs to apologise to tourists for the instability of the past three years.''
Tourism at War: The Fight to Save an Industry
Latest In Thailand, tourism always becomes the first innocent victim of political unrest. One well known industry name tells Phuketwan about his own battle on the streets of Bangkok.
Tourism at War: The Fight to Save an Industry
Phuket Perfectly Safe, Say Travel Leaders
Latest Travel warnings about Thailand from a brace of nations fail to take account of direct flights and the vast geographical and political differences between Bangkok and Phuket.
Phuket Perfectly Safe, Say Travel Leaders
Red Shirts Retreat: Bangkok Protest Abandoned
Latest The traditional Songkran Family Day holiday saw red shirts formally abandon their 18 day Bangkok occupation, halting clashes with troops and residents.
Red Shirts Retreat: Bangkok Protest Abandoned
Bangkok Two 'Killed by Red Shirts'
Update Troops and red shirts skirmished on Bangkok streets before dawn. About 9.40pm, one man was shot dead, first fatality of the street confrontation.
Bangkok Two 'Killed by Red Shirts'
Phuket's Turn Next for the Asean Summit?
Analysis Pattaya and Bangkok have so far been homes to an Asean Plus Six gathering that has yet to happen. Island Phuket remains the main chance for a successful summit.
Phuket's Turn Next for the Asean Summit?
Songkran Boost: Phuket Tourism in Tailspin
Latest Enjoy Songkran. The New Year may not bring another highlight for a while. Latest figures for Phuket flights show the upsides are now a long way back, and a long way forward.
Songkran Boost: Phuket Tourism in Tailspin
Phuket's Drop Tops Global Declines: Survey
Latest There are some polls Phuket does not want to win and this is one of them. Looking on the bright side, the island now offers great value for European holidaymakers.
Phuket's Drop Tops Global Declines: Survey
Phuket New Year Travel Boost: China Lifts Warning
Latest No better New Year gifts could come for Phuket and the Andaman than the lifting of the travel warning advisory by China. It comes with a package of goodies to boost tourism.
Phuket New Year Travel Boost: China Lifts Warning
You have become as all the rest of the press. Until a few weeks ago you seemed to have an independent opinion.
How can you say that FM was working hard for months when he was enjoying actively the yellow shirt Bangkok airport closure?
It's pity that you are now blowing the same horn as everybody else.
Posted by Tea money on April 15, 2009 20:50