Tour Guides Urge PM to Extend Stimulus to Ailing Tourism Sector
As foreign visitor numbers plummet, industry bodies call for support and a crackdown on illegal workers
- A Thai tour guide association has formally urged the Prime Minister to include the tourism sector in national economic stimulus programs and provide access to loans for struggling businesses.
- The request is driven by what the group calls the industry's worst state since the pandemic, caused by a sharp decline in tourists from Chinese-speaking markets.
- In addition to financial aid, the guides are demanding a crackdown on illegal foreign workers, stricter cannabis regulations, and improved safety measures to protect the country's image.
Thailand's tourism industry is calling for urgent government intervention, with a leading tour guide association demanding that the sector be included in the country’s economic stimulus programmes, such as the popular ‘Khon La Khrueng’ (Half-Half Co-payment) scheme.
The 'Thai Guides Uniting to Fight' group submitted a letter to Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul on Wednesday, detailing the dire state of the industry.
They claim the current situation is the worst since the COVID-19 pandemic, primarily due to a sharp decline in visitors from Chinese-speaking markets.
"The number of foreign tourists has dropped significantly, especially from mainland China, Taiwan, and Hong Kong, making it almost impossible for most tourism operators to survive," said Paisarn Suetanuwong, the group’s coordinator.
Key Demands and Recommendations
In their letter, the association outlined several key demands:
Financial Support: They are calling for immediate access to loans to boost liquidity for tourism businesses and for the sector to be included in any future economic stimulus measures.
Tackling Illegal Workers: The group wants a serious crackdown on foreigners illegally working in the tourism industry, as well as their employers. They also proposed reducing the visa-free stay period for tourists from 60 to 30 days.
Foreign OTAs: They urged the government to stop promoting foreign online travel agencies (OTAs) and to implement tax measures to level the playing field for local businesses.
Cannabis Policy & Safety: The association expressed concern that the unclear cannabis policy is harming the country's image and called for stricter regulations. They also want improved safety measures in tourist areas and for legal action to be taken against those spreading fake news that damages Thailand's reputation.
New Tourism Minister: The group recommended that the Prime Minister appoint a new Tourism and Sports Minister with proven knowledge and integrity in the field.
The letter also serves as a follow-up to previous demands made to the Bhumjaithai Party two years ago. The group is now requesting an update on progress regarding their calls for a crackdown on illegal workers and support for Thai nationals in the industry.
