Interesting artucle in the Times this morning about Brits travelling abroad. Turkey and Bulgaria are the cheapest destinations for Brits to travel to right now, as due to currency fluctuations, they are currently 37% cheaper than previously.
The Post Office are reporting increasing sales of the Mexican peso and Carribean currencies. Implying there is a market for long haul travel.
But they issued a warning that prices have increased sharply in some destinations, whilst others are now better value. Prices are down more than 15% in Corfu and 11.8% in Phuket (compared to when, I don't know). The Algarve remains the cheapest Euro currency destination at 25% lower than the good old Costa Del Sol. Cape Town is apparently the best value for long haul destinations.
https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/turk ... -zfhw33xqr
Thailand tourism situation
Re: Thailand tourist slump continues
Talk is cheap
Re: Thailand tourist slump continues
If the full plane from Qatar this morning was anything to go by then things are improving. The airport is still far from busy but a big increase from late last year.
I can’t see it returning to how it was but for many of us that cannot be such a bad thing.
I can’t see it returning to how it was but for many of us that cannot be such a bad thing.
Re: Thailand tourist slump continues
Tourism sentiment in the doldrums
The tourism index in the first quarter remains depressed, while the risk of more unemployment still clouds the outlook for the next quarter, mainly attributed to the Omicron variant and the Russia-Ukraine war, according to the Tourism Council of Thailand (TCT).
"Tourism operators are still struggling to maintain business as the number of tourists has yet to fully rebound due to the current travel rules. This obstacle needs to be removed before more operators collapse," said Chamnan Srisawat, president of the TCT.
According to a TCT survey, which polled 200 international travellers during Feb 20-March 10, some 71% agreed that the RT-PCR test upon arrival is a troublesome process while visiting Thailand.
Meanwhile, TCT's recent tourism confidence index in the first quarter this year stood at 44, considerably improving from 36 in the same period in 2021, but still declining from 47 in the fourth quarter last year.
The index reflects weak tourism confidence as a reading below 100 indicates low confidence among the industry.
https://www.bangkokpost.com/business/22 ... e-doldrums
Hardly surprising, and Thailand will always blame something else for it. Just spent a few days in various places between Petchaburi and Prachuap and could count the foreign tourists on one hand. Bangkok weekend warriors everywhere though!
The tourism index in the first quarter remains depressed, while the risk of more unemployment still clouds the outlook for the next quarter, mainly attributed to the Omicron variant and the Russia-Ukraine war, according to the Tourism Council of Thailand (TCT).
"Tourism operators are still struggling to maintain business as the number of tourists has yet to fully rebound due to the current travel rules. This obstacle needs to be removed before more operators collapse," said Chamnan Srisawat, president of the TCT.
According to a TCT survey, which polled 200 international travellers during Feb 20-March 10, some 71% agreed that the RT-PCR test upon arrival is a troublesome process while visiting Thailand.
Meanwhile, TCT's recent tourism confidence index in the first quarter this year stood at 44, considerably improving from 36 in the same period in 2021, but still declining from 47 in the fourth quarter last year.
The index reflects weak tourism confidence as a reading below 100 indicates low confidence among the industry.
https://www.bangkokpost.com/business/22 ... e-doldrums
Hardly surprising, and Thailand will always blame something else for it. Just spent a few days in various places between Petchaburi and Prachuap and could count the foreign tourists on one hand. Bangkok weekend warriors everywhere though!
Who is the happier man, he who has braved the storm of life and lived or he who has stayed securely on shore and merely existed? - Hunter S Thompson
Re: Thailand tourist slump continues
Thailand’s Tourism sector demands full reopening
Tourism businesses in Thailand are struggling to survive and barriers to increasing the number of foreign visitors to the kingdom must be removed immediately. That’s the view of Chamnan Srisawat from the Tourism Council of Thailand, who says the Omicron variant, coupled with Russia’s war on Ukraine, has dealt a double blow to the sector.
A TCT poll that surveyed 200 overseas travellers found that 71% agreed the process around the PCR test on arrival is cumbersome.
Chamnan says if Thailand’s tourism industry is to survive, it needs to retain 40% of its 2019 level of business this year. That’s 1.2 trillion baht in revenue, from 16 million tourists and 75 million domestic trips. He adds that in order to achieve this, the onerous Thailand Pass registration process and PCR testing on arrival need to go as soon as possible.
According to the Bangkok Post report, TCT’s tourism confidence index during the first quarter of 2022 stood at 44, which was a big improvement from 36 during the same period in 2021. However, it’s still down from 47 during the last quarter of 2021. Any reading below 100 indicates weak tourism confidence among those in the sector.
740 tourism operators participated in the survey and its findings show that confidence is lowest among nightlife operators, who have been the most severely affected by Covid restrictions. The confidence level among those businesses is at 20, down from 41 during the same period in 2021.
https://thethaiger.com/news/national/th ... -reopening
High season 2023 anyone?
Tourism businesses in Thailand are struggling to survive and barriers to increasing the number of foreign visitors to the kingdom must be removed immediately. That’s the view of Chamnan Srisawat from the Tourism Council of Thailand, who says the Omicron variant, coupled with Russia’s war on Ukraine, has dealt a double blow to the sector.
A TCT poll that surveyed 200 overseas travellers found that 71% agreed the process around the PCR test on arrival is cumbersome.
Chamnan says if Thailand’s tourism industry is to survive, it needs to retain 40% of its 2019 level of business this year. That’s 1.2 trillion baht in revenue, from 16 million tourists and 75 million domestic trips. He adds that in order to achieve this, the onerous Thailand Pass registration process and PCR testing on arrival need to go as soon as possible.
According to the Bangkok Post report, TCT’s tourism confidence index during the first quarter of 2022 stood at 44, which was a big improvement from 36 during the same period in 2021. However, it’s still down from 47 during the last quarter of 2021. Any reading below 100 indicates weak tourism confidence among those in the sector.
740 tourism operators participated in the survey and its findings show that confidence is lowest among nightlife operators, who have been the most severely affected by Covid restrictions. The confidence level among those businesses is at 20, down from 41 during the same period in 2021.
https://thethaiger.com/news/national/th ... -reopening
High season 2023 anyone?
Who is the happier man, he who has braved the storm of life and lived or he who has stayed securely on shore and merely existed? - Hunter S Thompson
Re: Thailand tourist slump continues
The CCSA recently announced (although not rubber-stamped) that the Pre travel PCR test would be scrapped from April 1st.
From May 1st, the pre-paid PCR test would be scrapped in favour of an ATK test on arrival negating the need for one day in an SHA hotel.
From June 1st, 'Test and Go' would be scrapped along with the Thailand Pass.
By July 1st the plan was to declare Covid as endemic in Thailand.
But TIT.
From May 1st, the pre-paid PCR test would be scrapped in favour of an ATK test on arrival negating the need for one day in an SHA hotel.
From June 1st, 'Test and Go' would be scrapped along with the Thailand Pass.
By July 1st the plan was to declare Covid as endemic in Thailand.
But TIT.
Re: Thailand tourist slump continues
My feel is that the endemic declaration will come well before July 1. The rest of it should come all on May 1 or sooner. Businesses are out for blood now. They won't put up with more delays or bureaucratic BS much longer IMO.
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handdrummer
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Re: Thailand tourist slump continues
What can the businesses do about it?
Re: Thailand tourist slump continues
The calls are mounting ... but does the junta care?
MINT chief pushes for end of travel restrictions
The government must drop all Covid travel restrictions before the tentative date of June 1 to rescue the economy before it is too late, says the founder of Minor International (MINT).
"The removal of Thailand Pass under the Test and Go scheme on June 1 is too late. We believe lifting all travel restrictions should be done immediately as the rest of the world is already opening up," said William Heinecke, MINT founder and chairman.
Many people want to visit the country during Songkran and Easter, but too many restrictions deter tourists, he said.
Thailand is suffering as the government has shattered tourism opportunities, causing many hotels to start laying off workers again after seeing inflation increase, said Mr Heinecke.
"I hope the public health minister and prime minister will look carefully at this issue and make the right decision to help the economy before we die," he said.
Without travel rules, Thai tourism will bounce back within a year, even without the Chinese market, as seen in the Maldives, which has already surpassed pre-pandemic levels, said Mr Heinecke.
https://www.bangkokpost.com/business/22 ... strictions
MINT chief pushes for end of travel restrictions
The government must drop all Covid travel restrictions before the tentative date of June 1 to rescue the economy before it is too late, says the founder of Minor International (MINT).
"The removal of Thailand Pass under the Test and Go scheme on June 1 is too late. We believe lifting all travel restrictions should be done immediately as the rest of the world is already opening up," said William Heinecke, MINT founder and chairman.
Many people want to visit the country during Songkran and Easter, but too many restrictions deter tourists, he said.
Thailand is suffering as the government has shattered tourism opportunities, causing many hotels to start laying off workers again after seeing inflation increase, said Mr Heinecke.
"I hope the public health minister and prime minister will look carefully at this issue and make the right decision to help the economy before we die," he said.
Without travel rules, Thai tourism will bounce back within a year, even without the Chinese market, as seen in the Maldives, which has already surpassed pre-pandemic levels, said Mr Heinecke.
https://www.bangkokpost.com/business/22 ... strictions
Who is the happier man, he who has braved the storm of life and lived or he who has stayed securely on shore and merely existed? - Hunter S Thompson
Re: Thailand tourist slump continues
Malaysian travelers bewildered by Thailand Pass, as southern land border reopens
THOU SHALL NOT PASS. That’s the message some northern-bound Malaysian travelers received when they attempted to drive their cars into Thailand this morning, only to find they’d forgotten the most important thing: you STILL need to register for Thailand Pass. In advance.
Thailand opened its land border with Malaysia today for travelers by private transportation. But it wasn’t exactly smooth sailing for those who forgot that the beleaguered Thailand Pass system is still in place — and you’re required to register before entering the country. Apparently, not many people got the memo. Little more than a hundred Malaysians had registered before the Sadao crossing in Songkhla province opened at 5 o’clock this morning, the Bangkok Post reported.
https://thethaiger.com/travel/travel-ne ... er-reopens
Thailand definitely going out of its way to make entry difficult.
Will Cautious Thailand Lose Out in Southeast Asia’s Tourism Recovery Race?
It's good to be cautious, but Thailand may pay the price of being cautious to a fault. Having already lost out on the first-mover advantage, will the delay in reopening deal a major blow to the already-fragile economy of Southeast Asia's biggest tourism hub?
https://skift.com/2022/04/01/will-cauti ... very-race/
THOU SHALL NOT PASS. That’s the message some northern-bound Malaysian travelers received when they attempted to drive their cars into Thailand this morning, only to find they’d forgotten the most important thing: you STILL need to register for Thailand Pass. In advance.
Thailand opened its land border with Malaysia today for travelers by private transportation. But it wasn’t exactly smooth sailing for those who forgot that the beleaguered Thailand Pass system is still in place — and you’re required to register before entering the country. Apparently, not many people got the memo. Little more than a hundred Malaysians had registered before the Sadao crossing in Songkhla province opened at 5 o’clock this morning, the Bangkok Post reported.
https://thethaiger.com/travel/travel-ne ... er-reopens
Thailand definitely going out of its way to make entry difficult.
Will Cautious Thailand Lose Out in Southeast Asia’s Tourism Recovery Race?
It's good to be cautious, but Thailand may pay the price of being cautious to a fault. Having already lost out on the first-mover advantage, will the delay in reopening deal a major blow to the already-fragile economy of Southeast Asia's biggest tourism hub?
https://skift.com/2022/04/01/will-cauti ... very-race/
Who is the happier man, he who has braved the storm of life and lived or he who has stayed securely on shore and merely existed? - Hunter S Thompson
Re: Thailand tourist slump continues
I'm flying back to Thailand after a short UK holiday, and travelling to Hua HIn. The cheapest Test and Go package I can find in Hua Hin is 8,500 Baht! The room would normally be 800 Baht, the taxi 1,600 Baht, so that leaves 6,100 Baht for the test. I have to do it, but I wouldn't book a holiday with such a rip-off requirement.
Re: Thailand tourist slump continues
I reckon thousands of holidaymakers that would have otherwise considered Thailand agree with you and haven't booked!
Who is the happier man, he who has braved the storm of life and lived or he who has stayed securely on shore and merely existed? - Hunter S Thompson
Re: Thailand tourist slump continues
So why not do it in Bangkok? Fear of not passing? Not cheaper?Robinhood wrote:I'm flying back to Thailand after a short UK holiday, and travelling to Hua HIn. The cheapest Test and Go package I can find in Hua Hin is 8,500 Baht! The room would normally be 800 Baht, the taxi 1,600 Baht, so that leaves 6,100 Baht for the test. I have to do it, but I wouldn't book a holiday with such a rip-off requirement.
Re: Thailand tourist slump continues
Kinda tourism-related, border crossings, immigration, and the like.
Malaysians stranded in southern Thailand appeal for help to come home
More than 10,000 Malaysians are reportedly stranded in southern Thailand after their travel documents expired.
They were believed to have entered the country before the first movement control order in March 2020 and were left stranded following the closure of the border with Thailand.
To compound matters, the consulate-general in Songkhla province is unable to assist in renewing their travel documents, Utusan Malaysia reported.
A spokesman for the consulate-general told the Malay daily the Malaysians had to apply for emergency travel documents through the Thai government to return home.
“They also have to pay a fine of 20,000 Thai baht (RM2,600) to the immigration department before being allowed to leave the country,” it quoted the spokesman as saying.
The Malaysians were believed to have entered Thailand to visit family members or conduct businesses in the provinces bordering the two countries, namely Satun, Sadao, Songkhla, Yala, and Narathiwat.
https://www.freemalaysiatoday.com/categ ... come-home/
Thailand even screwing its neighbours over on bullshit bureaucracy. This country must be getting inspiration from North Korea.
Malaysians stranded in southern Thailand appeal for help to come home
More than 10,000 Malaysians are reportedly stranded in southern Thailand after their travel documents expired.
They were believed to have entered the country before the first movement control order in March 2020 and were left stranded following the closure of the border with Thailand.
To compound matters, the consulate-general in Songkhla province is unable to assist in renewing their travel documents, Utusan Malaysia reported.
A spokesman for the consulate-general told the Malay daily the Malaysians had to apply for emergency travel documents through the Thai government to return home.
“They also have to pay a fine of 20,000 Thai baht (RM2,600) to the immigration department before being allowed to leave the country,” it quoted the spokesman as saying.
The Malaysians were believed to have entered Thailand to visit family members or conduct businesses in the provinces bordering the two countries, namely Satun, Sadao, Songkhla, Yala, and Narathiwat.
https://www.freemalaysiatoday.com/categ ... come-home/
Thailand even screwing its neighbours over on bullshit bureaucracy. This country must be getting inspiration from North Korea.
Who is the happier man, he who has braved the storm of life and lived or he who has stayed securely on shore and merely existed? - Hunter S Thompson
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Dannie Boy
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Re: Thailand tourist slump continues
Should help improve the numbers of tourists
“Starting in May, foreign arrivals to Thailand will take antigen tests on arrival, instead of RT-PCR tests. Thailand’s CCSA announced yesterday that it will hold off on adjusting the current entry restrictions for foreign travellers to Thailand until after next week’s Songkran festival, as it continues monitoring the spread of Covid-19 in the country. Thailand’s deputy public health minister said tourists can wait for the results, which should take no more than 15-30 minutes to process on-site, without the need to book hotels and wait overnight for the results of RT-PCR tests. After a meeting about easing the current restrictions”
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“Starting in May, foreign arrivals to Thailand will take antigen tests on arrival, instead of RT-PCR tests. Thailand’s CCSA announced yesterday that it will hold off on adjusting the current entry restrictions for foreign travellers to Thailand until after next week’s Songkran festival, as it continues monitoring the spread of Covid-19 in the country. Thailand’s deputy public health minister said tourists can wait for the results, which should take no more than 15-30 minutes to process on-site, without the need to book hotels and wait overnight for the results of RT-PCR tests. After a meeting about easing the current restrictions”
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handdrummer
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Re: Thailand tourist slump continues
Dannie Boy wrote: ↑Sat Apr 09, 2022 1:59 pm Should help improve the numbers of tourists
“Starting in May, foreign arrivals to Thailand will take antigen tests on arrival, instead of RT-PCR tests. Thailand’s CCSA announced yesterday that it will hold off on adjusting the current entry restrictions for foreign travellers to Thailand until after next week’s Songkran festival, as it continues monitoring the spread of Covid-19 in the country. Thailand’s deputy public health minister said tourists can wait for the results, which should take no more than 15-30 minutes to process on-site, without the need to book hotels and wait overnight for the results of RT-PCR tests. After a meeting about easing the current restrictions”
If all countries would do this, travel would be so much easier.
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