The closure of Thailand’s main gateway airport at Suvarnabhumi between 25 November to 3 December was a completely unforeseen and unpredictable event caused by a domestic political dispute. The entire Thai tourism industry was mobilised to help the tourists, which became a top priority. The Ministry of Tourism and Sports and Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT), together with the entire private sector provided accommodation, transportation, and meals. Some emergency flights were operated from other airports, and city terminals were established for tourists to undergo early check-in procedures. Once the all-clear was declared, the entire aviation industry moved expeditiously and urgently to get the airport open again and help visitors return home to their loved ones…
The closure of Thailand’s main gateway airport at Suvarnabhumi between 25 November to 3 December was a completely unforeseen and unpredictable event caused by a domestic political dispute. The entire Thai tourism industry was mobilised to help the tourists, which became a top priority.
The Ministry of Tourism and Sports and Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT), together with the entire private sector provided accommodation, transportation, and meals. Some emergency flights were operated from other airports, and city terminals were established for tourists to undergo early check-in procedures. Once the all-clear was declared, the entire aviation industry moved expeditiously and urgently to get the airport open again and help visitors return home to their loved ones.
After the reopening of the airports, the recovery in visitor arrivals was almost instantaneous. This is clear proof of the high levels of confidence that visitors have in the Kingdom of Thailand, the Thai people and the Thai tourism industry.
Now a new Thai government has been formed. Furthermore, the new Minister of Tourism and Sports, His Excellency Mr. Chumpol Silpa-archa, has pledged immediately to expedite the recovery of tourism. He will work with other ministers to ensure the necessary funding and infrastructure support.
Recovery Plan
The industry’s three-point recovery plan for 2009 includes:
1) Emergency measures to restore visitor confidence,
2) Policy measures to promote more domestic travel and international visitor arrivals, and
3) Tactical marketing measures which include special campaigns, especially via online marketing.
Campaigns will focus on major markets where we will work with industry partners to launch special packages, advertise in local media, promote the Amazing Value Card and Coupon, organize media trips to Thailand, encourage overseas Thai residents to visit Thailand, and bring back seminars and exhibitions.
Final figures for 2008 will show a total of 14.3 million arrivals, which will be about the same as 2007. Although arrivals are projected to improve in the first quarter of 2009, there will definitely be lower arrivals than in the first quarter of 2008. However, there is an improvement projection in the second quarter of 2009. The target is international visitor arrivals in 2009 at about 14 million, again depending on extra budget from the government, as well as, the local, regional, and global situation.
46 new hotels are set to open this year (2009). All these hotels include both international and local hotel chains; such as,
– Ritz Hotel, Best Western, Crowne Plaza in Bangkok
– Jumeirah Phuket Private Island Resort, 65 pool villas, five-star
– Shangri-La Phuket Resort and Spa, 315 rooms, five-star
– The Regent Phuket Cape Panwa, 106 rooms, five-star
– Conrad Koh Samui Resort, 79 villas, five-star
– DusitD2 Samui, 60 pool villas, boutique
– Banyan Tree Koh Samui , 100 villas, five-star
– Anantara of the Minor Group in Phangnga, five-star
They indicate an inflow of investment from all over the world, including the Asia Pacific and the Middle East.
According to the Airports of Thailand, the total of Low Cost Carrier (LCC) passenger traffic at all the international airports in Thailand has risen from 7.1 million in the fiscal year of 2005 to 12.8 million in the fiscal year of 2008, a far higher growth rate than passenger movements on the regular scheduled airlines.
Theodore is the Co-Founder and Managing Editor of TravelDailyNews Media Network; his responsibilities include business development and planning for TravelDailyNews long-term opportunities.
