EDITORIAL
On Friday, the National News Bureau of Thailand (NNT) reported that Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra "has urged the Tourism Authority of Thailand [TAT] to attract more high-end tourists into the country". Ms Yingluck said that at present those tourists who could be classified as high-end make up only about 20% of the market, and she'd like to see that increase to 30%.
Of course, there is nothing wrong with trying to attract wealthy tourists, and this has been the policy of the TAT for some time. But aside from the great natural beauty of the country and the famously friendly nature of the Thai people, one of the main reasons for Thailand's thriving tourist industry is that it is considered an affordable destination. Catering to the high-end market has already inevitably driven up prices for everyone, and if the trend continues there is a danger that many foreigners, especially those with families, will look elsewhere for a holiday destination.
The tourism industry really should be more appreciative of the "low-end tourist" market. This doesn't mean poor people - they can't afford the airfare - or "sex tourists" or other undesirables who might actually throw a lot of money around. It means people on a budget, and that includes the vast majority of people who dip into their savings to visit Thailand or any other foreign country on holiday, especially those with families.
The TAT has worked hard to promote Thailand as a destination for families and there is no doubt that the face of the tourism industry has changed.
This is clear when one takes a ride on the BTS during high season or shops at popular tourist destinations such as MBK, Chatuchak or Pratunam. A trip to Khao San Road, known as the backpacker's haven, reveals that most of the young foreign males are there with their young foreign wives or girlfriends.
Nana entertainment district and Soi Cowboy could disappear and it would be of no major consequence to the Thai tourism industry. But if prices continue to rise it's a different story.
Of course, inflation is raging around the world and there's no way Thailand can escape it. But price increases brought about directly or indirectly by a deliberate preference for wealthy tourists are avoidable.
Another important consideration is that many locals are left out in the rush to create a more high-end tourist market. This is somewhat ironic considering that a year ago TAT deputy governor for marketing communications Prakit Piriyakiet proposed that Ms Yingluck be made an official presenter of the travel industry to promote domestic tourism among Thais.
Technically all Thai beaches are public property, but in reality many of the best stretches of beach in the country are completely fronted by high-end resorts. This makes access to the beaches difficult, if not impossible, not only for less affluent foreigners, but also the majority of Thais who supposedly own the beaches.
The NNT article said the average spending per day of an individual tourist [presumably foreign] is "only" around 3,000 baht. Stretched over days or weeks this is not a small expenditure, especially when the rising costs of air travel is factored in.
It goes without saying that less affluent tourists make a huge contribution to the economy.
It's also likely that on average your less affluent tourist tends to get out and explore the country more, and in so doing spreads the financial benefits around to small businesses and service providers. High-end tourists are more likely to spend the majority of their time at five-star resorts and transfer most of the financial benefits to the already wealthy developers of such establishments.
Ms Yingluck and the TAT are not wrong to want to attract more wealthy visitors to the country, but let's not forget those who built Thailand's tourist industry into the powerhouse it is today. Above all, let's not price these tourists out of the market.
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Article source: http://www.thethailandlinks.com/2013/03/24/lets-hear-it-for-the-low-end-tourist/
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