Tourism from Europe is under pressure
Last year, tourism from Europe grew by 10 percent, this year the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) are already happy with 5 percent, but maybe even that percentage is too optimistic when the euro crisis worsens and infects more countries.
Risk markets are Portugal, Italy, Greece and Spain. TAT is also concerned about the new charge of £82 (economy) and £164 (business) that air passengers in England have to pay. The TAT will therefore shift its focus to tourists with an above-average income and countries in Eastern Europe and the Commonwealth of Independent States, including Russia.
Sixty percent of European tourists have been to Thailand before. To maintain this market, the southern beach destinations of Krabi and Trang are being promoted.
www.dickvanderlugt.nl – Source: Bangkok Post
About this blogger
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Known as Khun Peter (62), lives alternately in Apeldoorn and Pattaya. In a relationship with Kanchana for 14 years. Not yet retired, have my own company, something with insurance. Crazy about animals, especially dogs and music.
Enough hobbies, but unfortunately little time: writing for Thailandblog, fitness, health and nutrition, shooting sports, chatting with friends and some other oddities.
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Also think that the massive turnout from eg. Russia is not experienced as pleasant.
Pattaya is flooded.
Everything is written in Russian.
trips – menu list – shops
Understandably brings in money.
But still a bit different mentality than the European one.
Which is a pity.
Agree with Henry that the massive turnout from the former Eastern bloc countries discourages others from traveling to Thailand. Of course, the low Euro plays the most important role in (temporarily?) not taking a holiday in Thailand. The total tourism may be allowed to grow, but I think that the spending of the holidaymaker does not grow along with it. Moreover, I don't really understand why more and more holidaymakers have to come. The charm is lost and there is a chance that you will kill the chicken with the so-called golden eggs. Time will tell.
Indeed, Thais say tourism rose 10 percent last year, after falling 30 percent in previous years. Anyone who stays there longer than a period of leave could see that things changed. And the Russians who are flocking to cities do not want to be part of Western European life. Partly because 2 Mafia countries, not specified by nationality, keep everything tightly in their hands.
Yet I still like to go to Pattaya, for example, where there are plenty of opportunities for us to live as we want.
Kind regards,
Bart.
Brothers in sorrow.
It's all a bit of Tiergrabbers in Villa Germania, a Russian invasion, a bad baht exchange rate, and maybe even a Chinese invasion soon, it's doom and gloom. I think we should take a Russian course soon, because the genie is out of the bottle, and there's no way you can put it back in.
It hasn't happened to me yet, but I wouldn't be surprised today or tomorrow to be addressed by a Thai in half-baked Russian
Flights to South America are also no longer possible because you will also meet the Russians there, and your euro will no longer be worth anything there either.
We are going all the way to the philistines with globalization, our beautiful failed EU and the rise of brick countries.
I'd say have another beer while you still can, or a vodka with your Russian new neighbor, Nasdrovia.
Fortunately, we still have Thailand Blog to clear our hearts :)
Peter van den Holland, (soon to be Pjotr Hollanski)
There is enough competition for Thailand, we can also go to Bali, Malaysia or the Philippines to see beautiful islands with palm beaches. Given the prices on Samui/Phuket, for example, I would definitely consider those countries.
In addition, you still have bullying such as mandatory gala dinners at Christmas and New Year's Eve a 4000 baht pp, many Europeans have difficulty with that, including myself.
Many Dutch people have visited Thailand before. They are more likely to discover a new country than to Thailand again.
The low euro and the crisis are causing fewer tourists, but TV programs about corruption and mafia practices in Thailand also play a part in this.
@Piet Bali, Malaysia or the Phillipines, all of them have already been, does not have the atmosphere of Thailand, the smells, the food, the feeling, etc.
I think many here on TB feel the same way, yes we often grumble about Thailand, but that's part of it.