Back to news
[ 2016-08-09 ]
Constitution vote unlikely to affect tourism, experts say
SUNDAY’S referendum result approving the draft constitution will have little effect on the tourism industry,since foreigners are less concerned about the political situation here and their numbers could approach 33 million this year, according to major tourism bodies.
Representatives of the Thailand Convention and Exhibition Bureau (TCEB) and the Thai Ecotourism and Adventure Travel Association (TEATA) predicted that the tourism sector would continue to grow in the remaining months and the number of visitors should exceed the earlier projection of 30 million.
Charoen Wangananont, president of the Association of Thai Travel Agents (ATTA), said the results of the referendum would not make much difference to either local or foreign tourists because it was not a big concern for their travel plans.
He believes that many tourists realise that political tension and unrest in Thailand are not big issues for them, judging from the growth of international arrivals over the last 10 years, a period of political instability.
Charoen said foreign tourists would continue travelling to Thailand during the rest of the year as they want to experience Thai culture. This is particularly true for repeat visitors.
"Nearly 20 million foreign tourists visited Thailand during first five months. It was good sign for remaining months of this year. ATTA believes that the country has a chance to reach 33 million international arrivals this year. The referendum was not a big issue for many tourists."
He added that China would remain the biggest source of tourists over the next five years - about one-third of the total. This year, ATTA's members expect to serve 7 million tourists.
Weerasak Kowsurat, president of the TCEB, predicted that more than a million of MICE (meeting, incentive, convention and exhibition) travellers would travel to Thailand this year and generate revenue of up to Bt100 billion.
"I don't see big changes after the referendum," he said, noting that it would take time for the resulting rules and regulations to be put in place.
Duangkamol Chansuriyawong, president of TEATA, also doubts the results of referendum would have any impact on the tourism sector.
She said operators continued doing business as usual and tourists both foreigners and locals would travel as planned, particularly in niche markets such as ecotourism and adventure groups, who would not consider the political changes.
She said the ecotourism and adventure sectors had attracted some more tourists despite the country facing a drought since last year, and some entered the forests to help wild animals and grow plants as well as making fire |barriers.
THE NATION August 9, 2016 1:00 am
Charoen Wangananont, president of the Association of Thai Travel Agents (ATTA), said the results of the referendum would not make much difference to either local or foreign tourists because it was not a big concern for their travel plans.
He believes that many tourists realise that political tension and unrest in Thailand are not big issues for them, judging from the growth of international arrivals over the last 10 years, a period of political instability.
Charoen said foreign tourists would continue travelling to Thailand during the rest of the year as they want to experience Thai culture. This is particularly true for repeat visitors.
He added that China would remain the biggest source of tourists over the next five years - about one-third of the total. This year, ATTA's members expect to serve 7 million tourists.
Weerasak Kowsurat, president of the TCEB, predicted that more than a million of MICE (meeting, incentive, convention and exhibition) travellers would travel to Thailand this year and generate revenue of up to Bt100 billion.
"I don't see big changes after the referendum," he said, noting that it would take time for the resulting rules and regulations to be put in place.
Duangkamol Chansuriyawong, president of TEATA, also doubts the results of referendum would have any impact on the tourism sector.
She said operators continued doing business as usual and tourists both foreigners and locals would travel as planned, particularly in niche markets such as ecotourism and adventure groups, who would not consider the political changes.
She said the ecotourism and adventure sectors had attracted some more tourists despite the country facing a drought since last year, and some entered the forests to help wild animals and grow plants as well as making fire |barriers.
THE NATION August 9, 2016 1:00 am
Author: Patrick Lusted