THA to offer measures for improvement of hospitality industry

It will be the first discussion between the THA and the ministry over the future of the tourism and hotel industry since Chumpol, who is also a deputy prime minister, returned to take the tourism portfolio last month.

THA president Prakit Chinamourphong said yesterday that the group would propose at least three priorities to the ministry - limiting new hotel investment, improving tourism services and products, and ending the tourist scams at airports.

The association wants the ministry to issue special regulations to limit hotel development particularly in major destinations such as Bangkok, Phuket and Samui, as well as Chiang Mai, as these places already packed with accommodations.

Illegal operation

About 500,000 hotel rooms are available nationwide, but more half are operating illegally.

In Bangkok alone, 362 hotels are running legally while more than 380 properties are running without hotel permits.

"For years, unlawful hotels have cheated tourists and caused damage to the entire industry," Prakit said.

The private sector also wants the government to reduce land encroachment especially at public areas such as beaches.

"If there were no such problem, our tourism image would be very good in international markets, so good management may be needed at all tourist attractions," he said.

The THA also hopes the government can crack down on the scamming of arriving passengers at Suvarnabhumi Airport, especially by dishonest taxi drivers and tour guides.

The government should help the industry prepare for the implementation of the Asean Economic Community by pro-viding language training for hotel staff especially in the kitchen, food and beverage, front office and housekeeping departments.

THA reported that the average hotel occupancy rate this month was up by 50-62 per cent from the same month last year. Hotels in Bangkok, Phuket and Samui have been improving while business in Chiang Mai was still slow.

However, the return of Royal Flora Expo from November to February would help draw visitors, mostly locals, to the northern province.

The Tourism Authority of Thailand has said that international tourists have increased by 25 per cent to 12.8 million from January to August.

According to THA statistics, arrivals from mainland China, Indonesia, South Korea, Russia and Taiwan saw the highest growth rates of 41-78 per cent during the first eight months, while arrivals from Europe grew only 6-7 per cent because of the economic crisis.

The authority and the THA are confident that the country will receive 19 million tourists this year instead of the 17 million expected earlier, and that they will bring Bt700 billion in revenue.