CRISIS COULD BE GOOD FOR TOURISM
One benefit of Thailand's place in the global media spotlight is a possible increase in tourism. With all the doom and gloom surrounding the industry right now that might seem a strange thing to say, but a number of my friends in the UK have told me they're considering Thailand for a holiday. Previously they'd not considered it.
The current situation in Thailand is calm and I would not discourage anyone from coming here for a holiday. The events in Bangkok did not impact on my life in any way, except giving me more to write about for my magazine and for this blog. There is a risk that things could take a turn for the worse again, but hey .. there are worse places in the world to be stranded. There is some sort of risk pretty much anywhere in the world.
What Thailand needs to do now, and quickly, is convert this interest into firm bookings. I'm already being bombarded with special offers from hotels, restaurants and the like, and there are sure to be more appearing in the days and weeks ahead. Thailand is an amazing place and it's likely to prove to be excellent value over the coming months.
5 comments:
I think it's a nice idea but unlikely in practice. The reason being for those of us living here we know more about the facts behind the current situation and most importantly, we still feel safe. Also, since we don't have to travel in and out of Thailand on holiday the disruptions at the airport don't affect us.
For foreign tourists the view from the West is different - daily news reports of bombs, violent demonstrations, political unrest. Ridiculous ratings like the Telegraph's - Thailand is the seventh most dangerous place in the World - don't help!
I've lived, worked and traveled in more than 30 countries, including Nigeria, Cuba, Indonesia and Venezuela and I'd say the most dangerous country I've ever been in for physical security is the UK, and London in particular. I would rank Thailand as the safest - even now.
Mark, thanks for your comment.
I totally agree. Safety and security is the key now in the minds of those considering Thailand for a holiday/vacation - not price or culture or history. The Government (if we have one) and Tourism Authority need to focus on that, as do those in the industry.
I saw an international press article (CNN I think) which pretty much stated your point. Alas I have 'lost' the link.
I would certainly echo that Thailand isn't dangerous, but that said it is politically unstable. Most tourists will want cast iron guarantees that their hard-earned holiday won't degenerate into a mess so desperate all the good offers (some perhaps seemingly too good to be true) I think time will be the healer rather the spectacular offers, which of course will attract some.
Good news for me as I have family coming to visit in 2009.
"likely to prove to be excellent value over the coming months"
LOL @ only 50 baht to the pound you have got to be joking
I did not mean from the currency perspective. I meant, as we're already seeing, deep discounts from regular rates. 1,000 baht per night instead of 3,500 baht, or buy one night and get one night free. Both examples have been seen at high end hotels over the past weekend.
For sure the baht vs. pound rate is not good right now but shop around and you can get some excellent deals.
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