Tourism down yet TAT wants to be picky

[bobbymack]

http://englishnews.thaipbs.or.th/new-tourism-business-bill-aims-to-boost-competitiveness-of-thai-tour-companies

 

TAT in their wisdom want to restrict tourist numbers further - the old "quality tourists" argument. They should be grateful they are getting anyone in the current circumstances under the Junta. That keeps the Chinese and Russians away then.

[jerry]

Never really understood why they wanted to bring in these big numbers of Chinese 'tourists' . 

They only follow the guy with the flag , buy nothing and most revenues rather see them go 

than come . 

 

Yesterday had diner in a small restaurant and on the table next to us where 4 Chinese men . 

Let's say that was the last time i ever enter a restaurant where Chinese are having 'diner' ... 

 

But let them go on with their Thai logic and in a year from now tourist numbers will be down ,

visas will be free to get them back again and the Bht has in the meantime plunged 15/20% ... 

(that last one is wishfull thinking but you never know) . 

[dirtbird]

I think the article refers to the cheapy Chinese spend nothing tour group as apposed to the wealthier Chinese class which tours the likes of japan Korea or Taiwan.

After the horrific bombing last evening and a potential for more like the second one today it going to be a rough ride for tat

[sadisfied]

Anything that reduces the group tourists is fine by me

[Docker]

I think the article refers to the cheapy Chinese spend nothing tour group as apposed to the wealthier Chinese class which tours the likes of japan Korea or Taiwan.

After the horrific bombing last evening and a potential for more like the second one today it going to be a rough ride for tat

That is how I read it as it referred to “zero coin” tour groups, when I first saw the title of the post I incorrectly assumed that is was going to be directed at the "Sex tourist" but I suppose no matter how unpleasant they find us we do spend money and our money in turn to the bars and girls create employment for others.

[bobbymack]

What is also amusing is that they say they want to attract film production teams; but how many realistically are going to come and the revenue is not going to outweigh the loss of Chinese and Russians.

Ok, they don't want so-called "zero coin" tourists but they still spend money and maybe these tourists will return next year on their own and spend money or refer to their friends etc. Typical Thais lack of forward thinking.

[philkrenshaw]

The way I read the article, it wasn't so much trying to keep the tourists out as making sure the tour company gave them a reasonably good experience. I think the "zero coin" part referred to local Thai tour companies which agree to take over the groups on arrival for very little payment, in which case they force the groups to visit unwanted places like tourist trap jewelry stores in order to make money by commission. Tourists who get a low quality tour are less likely to come back and I think the government is trying to give them a better experience. 

[Roadglide]

I'm sure the movie "No Escape" will boost the numbers...