reader Posted April 23 Posted April 23 NOTE -- It's ironic but these are the same folks who've been appealing to the government to do everything within its power to liberalize tourism in the wake of the pandemic. Prosperity seems less appetizing up close. From Pattaya Mail By Barry Kenyon The Federation of Thai Tourism Associations has formally warned the Thai government that overtourism is now at crisis point. With projections that the calendar year 2024 will see 40 million overseas visitors – parallel to 2019 the last pre-covid year – both the environment and tourist comfort are under dire threat. The most badly affected cities are Phuket and Pattaya where there are respectively 118 and 99 overseas visitors for every local resident in research conducted by MoneyTransfers. That research is already several months out of date and the true ratios could be worse. Chris Flynn, chief officer of the World Tourism Association, said that Thai authorities don’t seem to have determined “what they can take before they break”. The most obvious signs of overtourism in Pattaya are awesome traffic congestion made worse by tour buses crowding the inadequate roads and road repairs being conducted at several points in or near the city center. John Leeman, a tourist from Liverpool UK, said, ”It takes me at least one hour after dark to travel from Jomtien to central Pattaya, twice last year’s time, and when you get to your destination parking is near-impossible.” The situation could soon be made worse by the threat of water shortages, caused by lack of rainfall, and also by the prospect of more passengers arriving at U-tapao airport near Pattaya. At the moment, some airlines decline to utilize that base as there is no regular bus passenger transport into Pattaya. If that situation changes, U-tapao can expect a surge in the number of daily arrivals. n recent months, Thai tourist numbers have surged partly as a result of the abandonment of holiday visas for huge markets such as Russia, China and India. In response, Thai tourist authorities are trying to promote second-tier provinces to take the pressure off the traditional resorts. The Tourism Council of Thailand meanwhile is asking the government to collect the 300 baht entry fee to fund development and improvements. But many travel gurus doubt whether such policies will actually deter overtourism. It is not just a Thai problem. In Greece the numbers visiting the Acropolis have been restricted by the need for advance booking and pre-payment. Holland has toughened its drug laws to deter the supposed hoodlum market and has banned the building of any more hotels. Some commentators see Thailand’s recent crackdown on foreign crime – over 400 arrested in Phuket on a variety of charges – and the likely banning of leisure cannabis later this year as signs that the government wants to deter some fun-loving overseas visitors. As one Cabinet minister put it, “We want quality tourists from now on.” ===================== From The Thaiger Thai tourism sector proposes 300-baht tax to counter over-tourism Thai tourism operators are advocating for government regulations to address the rising issue of over-tourism in the country. They propose the implementation of a 300-baht tourism tax, which they believe could alleviate the problem. Their call for action comes in response to Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin’s commitment to make 2025 a pivotal year for Thai tourism. The Federation of Thai Tourism Associations (FETTA) is set to present a white paper to the government outlining solutions to over-tourism, a significant issue in Thailand pre-pandemic. Secretary-General of FETTA, Adith Chairattananon, pointed out that major tourist destinations like Phuket, Samui, and Pattaya are on the brink of over-tourism, with a projected 40 million tourists. During peak season, these popular destinations suffer from traffic congestion and water shortages, with international airports running out of slots for airlines. Adith suggests a key strategy could be to divert tourists from these hubs to the country’s secondary cities. These cities offer numerous potential attractions and have adequate space to accommodate an influx of tourists. Adith also proposed incentives for airlines to operate direct flights to provincial airports, such as U-Tapao, Khon Kaen, and Krabi. Such a move would ease congestion at major airports, like Phuket Airport or Suvarnabhumi Airport, and stimulate regional business opportunities. Tourism Council of Thailand (TCT) Vice-President Surawat Akaraworamat supports the idea of a 300-baht tourism fee. He believes it could fund tourism development as the plan and all related preparations have been finalised. Surawat suggests that the tax would not deter foreign tourists, as the fee is minimal compared to countries like Bhutan, which charges a tourist tax of over US$100 (approximately 3,700 baht) per night. The additional revenue could be used to develop infrastructure in second-tier provinces, attract tourists away from overcrowded locations, and enhance attractions that have deteriorated due to over-tourism, reported Bangkok Post. Surawat called for a trial phase of tourism tax collection through a mobile application or kiosks, mirroring the approach taken by many countries that collect taxes from tourists through flight tickets or hotel stays. Quote
vinapu Posted April 24 Posted April 24 300 baht fee will end up in general revenue and will not deter too many from coming. But that surge in arrivals was sudden and met country unprepared here and there seems to be real. Few people reported that they may be 2-3 hours wait for next bus to Pattaya from Swampy, It was rarely a case pre-covid. reader 1 Quote
reader Posted April 25 Author Posted April 25 NOTE -- All one but start bitching about overcrowding once they begin arriving. From Pattaya News Pattaya Officials Aim to Attract More Chinese Tourists Pattaya officials participated in the “Pattaya Roadshow to Chengdu 2024” seminar on April 23rd with the aim of attracting more Chinese visitors from Chengdu. The event, organized by Pattaya City, Chonburi Provincial Administrative Organization, and the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) Pattaya Office, aimed to promote Pattaya’s diverse tourism offerings and strengthen ties with Chinese travel businesses. The seminar was held in Chengdu, China, and was attended by several prominent Thai authorities and Chinese business people. Ms. Rung Kanjanawiroj, Director of the TAT Chengdu Office, provided valuable insights into the current Chinese tourism landscape to Thai business people. She also showcased Pattaya’s unique attractions and tourism products to highlight the city’s potential to cater to Chinese travelers. vinapu 1 Quote
