THE WORLD'S most important travel fair produced positive dividends for Phuket and the Andaman region, some of the island's contingent have told Phuketwan.
However, on his return from ITB Berlin, Prakit Chinamourphong, president of the Thai Hotels Association, said the government's five billion baht fund for the tourist industry would help only small and medium-sized hotels, although larger hotels are, facing similar difficulties.
''This year [in Berlin], the situation there was very sluggish. Most buyers came to the fair to bargain prices and Thai tour operators were pressured with no choices,'' he said.
Increases in existing price rates were out of the question, said Mutakan Srithongsook, Director of Sales and Marketing at Club Andaman Beach Resort.
Tour operators and resort representatives agreed that the prime need was to offer customers value for money, he said.
The atmosphere at ITB Berlin 2009 was more subdued than last year, with numbers down in reflection of the harsher economic climate.
But one encouraging sign was the number of university students looking for inspiration both as industry representatives and tourists.
While Club Andaman Beach Resort relied on regular contacts, the topic of conversation was the likelihood of more political problems in Thailand. Next came the general economic situation, he said.
Surprisingly, given that many Germans and Austrians were among the passengers, the sinking of MV Dive Asia 1 with seven lives lost was not raised.
It was the first time at the fair for West Sands Phuket and Director of Sales Laddawan Somniyam.
She said feedback was good from customers and agents about West Sands.
''Because we have a new product, people were anxious to hear about it,'' she said. ''Especially at the high end.''
West Sands established contacts with five or six new agents, she said, especially in Germany and Britain.
High end customers were less affected by the economic downturn, she said.
Another newcomer, Outrigger, promoting its Serenity Terraces Resort in Rawai, was represented by Sales Manager Ananya Komolsai.
Some contacts were aware of the brand but did not know it was in Thailand. For others, Outrigger itself was new, she said.
There was no shortage of interested people at the Outrigger booth, she said. Agents knew the regular brands but were keen to hear about a new one.
Rawai's reputation was changing because of new five-star attractions. Outrigger attracted 10 to 15 new agents, she said, mostly from Europe and America.
Questions mostly concerned the airport blockade and politics in Thailand. One regular poser from agents was: ''If Thailand cannot protect its airports, how can we protect our tourists?''
The boat disaster was not raised often.
Outrigger was not going to raise prices for at least a year, she said.
Agents took advanced bookings, which were rare at this kind of trade show, Khun Ananya said.
The Executive Secretary of Patong's Duangjitt Resort and Spa. Nittakam Karnjanopinit, said the resort gained some new agents. They worried more about the economic crisis than the airport blockade.
Agents suggested that Duangjitt needed to retain good value for customers. ''They have strong belief in our product,'' she said. The new agents came from Germany and France.
Now that construction is finished, agents and customers have few concerns.
After ITB Berlin, Khun Nittakam decided to join the Thailand Travel Mart, which swings into operation from June 3-7 in Bangkok.
Phuket Tourist Association President Somboon Jirayus said the contacts and feedback were good this year at ITB Berlin, with Phuket's overall image improving.
But the entire fair was quieter. ''The economic crisis has made people more careful about spending,'' he said.
''Advance bookings are being made later, too. People are unsure about the economy so they leave it to the last minute.''
His belief was that many people would leave high season bookings until much closer to the end of 2009.
Benefits from new agents and improved contacts with existing agents would take three or four months to appear, he said.
''Thailand still has a good image in Europe,'' he said. ''This year, though, everyone is suffering so expectations shouldn't be too high.''
Next on the agenda for the PTA: a road show to China from April 6 to April 11. The trip has the support of Orborjor Phuket.
Shanghai and Guangzhao are the cities being targetted for the tour.
''I think tourists from China will begin to return to Phuket,'' he said. ''The routes are reopened and the leaders in China are now encouraging tourism.''
However, on his return from ITB Berlin, Prakit Chinamourphong, president of the Thai Hotels Association, said the government's five billion baht fund for the tourist industry would help only small and medium-sized hotels, although larger hotels are, facing similar difficulties.
''This year [in Berlin], the situation there was very sluggish. Most buyers came to the fair to bargain prices and Thai tour operators were pressured with no choices,'' he said.
Increases in existing price rates were out of the question, said Mutakan Srithongsook, Director of Sales and Marketing at Club Andaman Beach Resort.
Tour operators and resort representatives agreed that the prime need was to offer customers value for money, he said.
The atmosphere at ITB Berlin 2009 was more subdued than last year, with numbers down in reflection of the harsher economic climate.
But one encouraging sign was the number of university students looking for inspiration both as industry representatives and tourists.
While Club Andaman Beach Resort relied on regular contacts, the topic of conversation was the likelihood of more political problems in Thailand. Next came the general economic situation, he said.
Surprisingly, given that many Germans and Austrians were among the passengers, the sinking of MV Dive Asia 1 with seven lives lost was not raised.
It was the first time at the fair for West Sands Phuket and Director of Sales Laddawan Somniyam.
She said feedback was good from customers and agents about West Sands.
''Because we have a new product, people were anxious to hear about it,'' she said. ''Especially at the high end.''
West Sands established contacts with five or six new agents, she said, especially in Germany and Britain.
High end customers were less affected by the economic downturn, she said.
Another newcomer, Outrigger, promoting its Serenity Terraces Resort in Rawai, was represented by Sales Manager Ananya Komolsai.
Some contacts were aware of the brand but did not know it was in Thailand. For others, Outrigger itself was new, she said.
There was no shortage of interested people at the Outrigger booth, she said. Agents knew the regular brands but were keen to hear about a new one.
Rawai's reputation was changing because of new five-star attractions. Outrigger attracted 10 to 15 new agents, she said, mostly from Europe and America.
Questions mostly concerned the airport blockade and politics in Thailand. One regular poser from agents was: ''If Thailand cannot protect its airports, how can we protect our tourists?''
The boat disaster was not raised often.
Outrigger was not going to raise prices for at least a year, she said.
Agents took advanced bookings, which were rare at this kind of trade show, Khun Ananya said.
The Executive Secretary of Patong's Duangjitt Resort and Spa. Nittakam Karnjanopinit, said the resort gained some new agents. They worried more about the economic crisis than the airport blockade.
Agents suggested that Duangjitt needed to retain good value for customers. ''They have strong belief in our product,'' she said. The new agents came from Germany and France.
Now that construction is finished, agents and customers have few concerns.
After ITB Berlin, Khun Nittakam decided to join the Thailand Travel Mart, which swings into operation from June 3-7 in Bangkok.
Phuket Tourist Association President Somboon Jirayus said the contacts and feedback were good this year at ITB Berlin, with Phuket's overall image improving.
But the entire fair was quieter. ''The economic crisis has made people more careful about spending,'' he said.
''Advance bookings are being made later, too. People are unsure about the economy so they leave it to the last minute.''
His belief was that many people would leave high season bookings until much closer to the end of 2009.
Benefits from new agents and improved contacts with existing agents would take three or four months to appear, he said.
''Thailand still has a good image in Europe,'' he said. ''This year, though, everyone is suffering so expectations shouldn't be too high.''
Next on the agenda for the PTA: a road show to China from April 6 to April 11. The trip has the support of Orborjor Phuket.
Shanghai and Guangzhao are the cities being targetted for the tour.
''I think tourists from China will begin to return to Phuket,'' he said. ''The routes are reopened and the leaders in China are now encouraging tourism.''
