Thailand's economy is highly dependent on tourism and related industries and attracts high levels of foreign currency.
In many years branding Thailand as a destination exotic, natural, friendly and interesting, not to mention the "fantastic", of course, is the tourism infrastructure, ranging from some of the leading five-star hotels in the world and a world class airline to a myriad of restaurants and sole proprietorship tour operators, massive.
Thailand boasts many areas where local shop is heavily struck the international tourist trade-consumers with high affordability willing to pay much more than the local people for the same services and to pay a high premium for specifically tailored services such as Western style hotels, Western restaurants, foreign languages, tour guides and Japanese style karaoke lounges. also have a wealth of secondary establishments such as primary food producers for the Thai market, healthcare providers and transport industries. Clear international tourism accounts for a much higher share of contribution to the economy in Thailand than any other Asian country, although expenditure per tourist backward in Hong Kong and Singapore, where prices are much higher.
While the global tourism industry has suffered considerably since the World Trade Center bombing in THE UNITED STATES, the effects of the Asian tourism industry was moderated by a still more healthy increase in intra-regional travel as Asian tourists opted for shorter distances (and perceived-safer) destinations and travel was more affordable for Chinese mainlanders in particular due to the high economic growth.
It is no surprise therefore that THE SARS crisis (and 2nd international tourists concerns about the effects of the Iraq war and terrorism) would cut a lot through the Thai business and economy, especially as it affected the weblogs large incoming tourist market-making in East Asia including Japan, China, Taiwan and South Korea.
As the above graph illustrates, experienced Thailand's major gateway-Don Muang airport in Bangkok dramatic drops in tourist arrivals from Japan and China, for the period from 1st to 21st april 2003 compared to the same period last year; this period incorporates the Thai Songkran festivities-a peak season for Thailand's travel industry.This graph reports rise or fall in tourists in these periods of Thailand's large incoming of the originating country tourist markets in Japan, China, USA, Germany and Australia; it is interesting, stable visitors originating from those countries in the UK and Germany, but somewhat smaller markets, while the United States-arrivals a little a significant drop, possibly influenced by terrorism fears that have hit THE US outbound tourism in General in a longer period. In short, China, Hong Kong and Singapore visitor cancelled due to travel restrictions on them, and Japanese and other travellers (countries which had not been "SARS held") was "scared" of reports on the rising SARS infection in Southeast Asia.It is interesting, SARS infections of population ratios in Thailand and Southeast Asia are comparable or even less than in THE EU or North American countries, but the fear of the unknown was the main factor.
This odd affect arrivals of the region is further illustrated by the graph below, that presents the data in the drop-down list in the receipts of each region.[E-Asia = East Asia, including Japan, China, Taiwan and South Korea; ASEAN = Association of South East Asian Nations members incorporate all 10 Member States, including Singapore, Malaysia, Philippines and Indonesia; euro = European countries; Amer = North-and South America; South Asia = India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka and others; Oceania = Australia, New Zealand and Pacific Islands; M-East = Middle East; and Africa = African continent countries.]
Total tourist arrivals decreased by 41% between april 1st to April 21st compared with same period in 2002, by far the most affected In Southeast Asia (Thailand's large incoming tourist market as can be inferred from the first graf) and ASEAN (which includes SARS affected and high value outbound tourist market of Singapore).Middle East arrivals down probably was foreseeable due to instability in the region originating. Visitors from Europe and Australia appeared, however, less are deterred from visits in Thailand.
Co-incidentally announced THE WHO at the same time that the South East Asian and East Asian leaders performs an emergency SARS summit in Bangkok, to Vietnam and Thailand should be seen as "free" lack any SARS (Thailand) or last (in Vietnam) local transmission. More controversially, declared THE WHO also that SARS was "contained" in Singapore, a statement which was not on the agenda Singapore leaders for fear of causing any relaxation among Singaporeans. with the lifting of travel bulletins on Toronto, left this only China with a continuous and highly threatening condition.
Despite this need emergency Summit recommendations in the Asian Health Minister meeting in Kuala Lumpur Malaysia the week before that the Institute SARS health checks of all international travellers leaving South East Asian countries. justified as a way to "reduce" the fear of travel due to SARS-worries, an unwanted side-effects will continue to be to counteract the travel expenses of those who are unwilling to risk travelling expenses for the chance to be quarantined and company/vacation planning becomes interrupted a heavy costs on the presentation of the rather vague symptoms. It also "brands" the whole of Southeast Asia as being a SARS danger while only Singapore remains unabated.
No, really, when the travel and Tourism industry in Thailand and Southeast Asia will return. key is "perceptions", and how these are managed is critical to Thailand and South East Asian Tourism quick return to the previous high levels; Best guess is that it will be a gradual and constant improvement.
No comments:
Post a Comment