Put a foreigner in charge
Re: "More tourism stimulus possible", (Business, July 29).
As a long time resident of Thailand, I have read, decade after decade, pleas for more government resources to bolster the tourism sector.
Articles appear in the BP regularly about increasing low-cost tourism, high-cost tourism, temple tours, environmental tours, and now promoting digital currency use for tourists in Thailand.
If Thailand wants to be more than a winter getaway, they need to get serious about how they structure and operate their tourism industry.
The first step would be to hire a high-ranking foreigner, from an international organisation such as IATA, or other recognised travel organisation.
The foreigner would oversee all tourism organisations in Thailand. The reason for this is simple. Thai travel industry executives try to imagine what foreigners want for a holiday. The problem is they are stuck in the same mindset of sea, sun, sand, and that other "s". You do get return visitors year after year, for these reasons, and that is fine.
But what about the quiet months, where so many businesses have trouble staying afloat, and when we hear appeals for help? Thailand's huge agricultural sector, to name only one industry, cannot simply switch production on and off for several months every year.
I would like to suggest a few ideas, which are by no means researched or peer reviewed, but I think might appeal to a lot of people.
Thai Airways must be a leader in this initiative. They can start by offering business-class fare promotions for June, July, and August, with three nights of free accommodation in a four-star hotel in Bangkok.
Similar, but lesser deals could be made for economy fares. What about giving resident expats with a work visa or retirement visa, or similar deals if they fly to Thai destinations during that period?
For several years now, the term eco-tourism has been bandied about around the globe. But how many people from Western countries are going to visit Thailand in the summer to watch rice growing techniques, or go on jungle treks, or learn about inland fish farming?
Most people only get two to three weeks holidays per year, and for the most part, those days are reserved for family activities, such as camping or going to Disney Land.
I mention Disney and their international properties for a reason. How is it that millions of people visit their properties year after year? Disney Land is primarily for children. That is the reason they have survived and thrived since the 1950s.
Thailand is already well recognised for its private hospital system. This should be heavily promoted, again with Thai Airways. In addition, millions of university students and professors get their summer holidays during the low season in Thailand.
Why not set up various education tours that look at Thailand's environmental efforts, how they are upgrading agricultural practices, and environmentally friendly tourism efforts?
If Thailand wants more visitors in the slow months, it needs an outsider running the entire tourism business, who really understands what the word promotion means.
C'mon Thailand, this is not rocket science!
