Government told not to rush West coast development
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THE TOURISM industry has cautioned the government about developing the West coast of Thailand as a new destination, saying it should take time to ensure the areas are fully prepared before marketing them.
“Introducing or promoting new destinations is not a big question for the private sector, but we worry about readiness and capability if the government rushes to open areas to draw visitors,” Ittirit Kinglake, president of the Tourism Council of Thailand, said yesterday.
Tourism development could take time, perhaps years, for the areas to have complete infrastructure, good accommodations, attractive products and services, and skilled resources.
“Especially when we aim to attract quality tourists, we need to have good destinations first,” he said.
The National Tourism Committee or the Tourism Ministry are expected to seek Cabinet approval for a tourism development master plan covering eight clusters nationwide by September.
Hua Hin, Cha-Am and Pran Buri on the West coast will be the first combined area to be developed as a sustainable tourism model. Other clusters such as Lanna in the North, Andaman in the South, the East coast and the Northeast with its cultural theme will follow.
The government should not rush to open the West coast and should not take top-down endorsement. It should begin talks with locals and residents before considering any development.
Many visitors to Hua Hin and Cha-Am come from other parts of the country. The two resort towns welcomed only 2 million foreign visitors generating Bt10 billion last year – much lower than 10 million in Phuket and more than 5 million in Chiang Mai.
“We already learned from the failure of Koh Chang on the east coast, where the government and private sectors are set to draw tourists. The island is now claimed as a damaged destination and poorly managed,” he added.
Pornthip Hirunkate, vice president for marketing at the council, said she agreed with this project as it would help the private sectors in Cha-am and Hua Hin to gain more business.
“All of us in the tourism industry almost promote Cha-am and Hua Hin together. Of course, Hua Hin is more known than Cha-am, and when described as different provinces, it makes Cha-am less attractive.
“Currently they belong to different provinces, Phetchaburi and Prachuap Khiri Khan. It would reduce so many obstacles and bureaucratic red tape.
