Thailand’s competitive edge may be threatened by unpredictability in the tourist industry in 2019, thus the government and commercial sector are being asked to work together to prepare.
It has been claimed by Bhumikitti Ruktaengam, the advisory chairman of the Phuket Tourist Association, that more cooperation is required between the public and commercial sectors in terms of tourist regulations. Thailand’s tourist sector is bracing for 2023’s greater competition and unpredictability, therefore collaboration is essential.
Bhumikitti warned that the approaching general election next year, as well as other internal considerations, would deter foreign visitors. The rising cost of energy and the ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine are having an impact on tourist spending, making it more difficult for authorities to increase expenditures per trip. Mass rallies in China against COVID-19 also generate ambiguity in travel laws, which might have an effect on the future amount of Chinese visitors entering Thailand.
The head of the advisory board expressed concern about the effects of greater competition on Thailand’s tourism business, citing the fact that some tour groups had already decided to spend the winter in other countries. He highlighted that if the country doesn’t work together and adopt innovative strategies, it risks losing even more visitors to its rivals.
However, Krod Rojanastien, head of the Thai Spa Association, said that the government should instead prioritize developing the tourism goods it already has, which have the potential to attract high-spending tourists. He thinks there’s a lot of room for growth in the health and wellness industry in the country, and he’s calling on the government to do more to train people to work in such fields.
