Pattaya aims to stay on top after AEC
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Pattaya is cementing its position as a major regional tourism destination after the opening of the Asean Economic Community in 2015 by improving its infrastructure and facilities to welcome more than 10 million tourists in two years, up from 8 million las
“Even with a rising number of rivals in regional tourism, Pattaya has more competitive advantages, especially in skilled labour, natural beauty and aviation,’’ Mayor Ittipol Khunpluem said yesterday.
Since 70 per cent of visitors in 2015 will be foreign, especially from Asean countries, the beach resort will have to focus on infrastructure development so that tourists can enjoy greater convenience, he said. The city will become more modern and environmentally friendly.
It will serve all groups – youngsters, families and senior citizens. More wheelchair lanes will be constructed to serve ageing people.
Green innovation for tourism will be promoted.
Fierce competition is expected from the AEC’s opening, especially from emerging, unspoiled cities like Da Nang in Vietnam, which is playing a bigger role on the regional tourism map.
Last year, 5 million foreigners came to Pattaya, led by Russians with 1.6 million, followed by Chinese with 1.2 million and balanced by Europeans, especially British and German, and Indians.
Its peak was in 2008, with 7 million tourists.
This year, the outlook is optimistic, with tourist numbers expected to increase 10-15 per cent thanks to political stability and the lack of natural disasters or disease outbreaks.
By 2015, the number of Chinese tourists is expected to reach 2 million, driven by direct promotions with Chinese counterparts in cities such as Chengdu and Qingdao.
Pattaya’s supply of 70,000 rooms can accommodate 10 million visitors per year. Tourism revenue |was Bt65 billion last year, while investment, especially in property projects, was more than Bt100 |billion.
Boosting tourist spending in the city is in focus. In 2015, spending per head will rise to Bt4,000 from Bt2,800-Bt3,000 at present.
On Tuesday, the city joined with Visa to launch a Pattaya tourist prepaid card in the hope of encouraging spending. A study showed that payments in business channels in the city were not convenient enough for vacationers.
Now they can use their prepaid Visa card with small merchants. Visa and its bank partners will introduce mobile point-of-sale (MPOS) devices to accelerate the pace of electronic payment adoption among small retailers.
The MPOS is a small card reader that can be plugged into a smart phone. It allows merchants to accept Visa cards via a swipe or by dipping the card.
Ittipol hopes 50,000 cards, which also offer privileges and discounts in the city, will be issued by Krungthai Bank.
