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Indians now top Pattaya tourists
Members of the Thai Hotels Association
Eastern Chapter pose for a group photo.
Ariyawat Nuamsawat
For now, at least, the future of tourism in Pattaya is India.
Speaking at the Thai Hotels Association Eastern Chapter’s “Pattaya
Marketing 2010” seminar, Niti Kongkrut, director of Tourism Authority of
Thailand’s Pattaya office, said Indians now rank No. 1 among tourists to
the region and will continue to do so through next year.
“We’re finding that the number of tourists from European countries will
not rise much and we predict the numbers from Russia will only increase
a small amount,” Niti said. “But what’s most interesting is that the
number of visitors from India is growing steadily. I believe that by the
end of 2009 Indian tourists will remain No. 1 in Pattaya.”
The TAT director said Indian tourists have shown strong buying power
with the middle class comprising about 30 percent of the population.
Disturbingly, tourist numbers from traditionally strong tourist
countries China and Korea have fallen this year. While they are expected
to return once the global economy improves, TAT isn’t taking any chances
and will launch an ASEAN-region “road show” this month.
The Southeast Asian sales effort kicks off with a table-top market for
travel buyers from Indochina at the Hard Rock Hotel this month and TAT
will hit the road in Vietnam next month, then proceed on to Malaysia,
Singapore and Indonesia in the new year.
Thai tourism crisis proves fatal for resort owner
Sirima Eamtako, TTG Asia
The Thai tourism crisis has reportedly claimed the life of The
Chill Koh Chang Resort owner Anuthat Chinnawong, and Thai tour operators
and hoteliers warn that if the domestic political turmoil continues,
more establishments will face higher debts or closure.
Facing pressure from loan sharks, Anuthat reportedly committed suicide
in mid-September. Tragically, this was just a day before the bank
approved his loan application of 50 million baht (US$1.48 million).
Thai Hotels Association president, Prakit Chinamournphong, said the case
was raised at a Ministry of Tourism and Sports meeting on September 30
and a call was made for faster action from the government in approving
and granting loans, to prevent any further fatalities.
Koh Samui sees 2010 recovery
Sirima Eamtako,
TTG Asia
The Tourism Association of Koh Samui anticipates a recovery in revenue next year
to 14 billion baht (US$416 million), similar to 2008 revenue.
The association’s president, Seni Puwasetthawon, said the island would earn
about 12 billion baht this year due to hotels and tourism operators slashing
prices as a result of the multiple crises affecting the industry.
He said there were signs of forward bookings for January onwards coming from
tour operators in Germany and Nordic and Eastern Europe.
Seni added, “We must maintain this year’s prices, about 20 to 30 percent down
from last year’s, to stimulate interest for next year.”
According to Seni, the island’s inventory of 16,000 rooms will continue to
expand, with new hotels continuing to be built throughout the island.
China demand drops
for Thai resorts
Sirima Eamtako,
TTG Asia
Chinese airlines have cut the number of charter flights to Thailand in the face
of weaker demand due to what they are calling ongoing Thai political tensions.
Thai-Chinese Tourism Alliance Association president Vichit Prakobgosol said
during China’s National Day week there were 15 charter flights from Chinese
cities to Bangkok and Phuket, down from about 25 flights in the same period last
year.
Citing the impact from the Thai political situation, he said the number of
Chinese arrivals into Thailand for the year would probably drop by 30 percent to
just above 600,000 tourists.
Meanwhile, Air China scheduled four direct charter flights from Chengdu to Samui
Airport from September 30 to October 4, during China’s National Day week.
Diana Group primps for high-season
Diana Group staff learn the best way to apply makeup
and look their best for the upcoming busy season.
Sawittree Namwiwatsuk
With high season only weeks away, the Diana Group of hotels is making
sure its reception staffers act and look their best.
The company brought in cosmetics experts as part of its Sept. 17 seminar
customer-service staff that also stressed the importance of good manners.
Sopin said the workshop was aimed at improving receptionists’ efficiency, as
well as ensure politeness and proper attire. Representatives from BSC Cosmetics
Co. helped teach female staff how to apply makeup to achieve a professional
look.
“The makeup demonstration and training is an annual seminar for the high
season,” Sopin said. She added that employees were also able to buy cosmetics
for a discounted price and get a free skin-care test.
Thai hotels estimate
20 percent arrivals drop
Sirima Eamtako,
TTG Asia
The Thai Hotels Association (THA) expects tourist arrivals this year to
plunge 20 percent to about 11.2 million visitors.
THA president Prakit Chinamourphong said the forecast was based on the 7.3
million arrivals recorded between January and August, an 18.7 percent drop over
the same period last year.
“If we were to receive about 1.2 million foreign tourists each month between
September and December, the (2009 total) would reach 11.5 million arrivals at
the very best.”
However, while Thai hotels suffered a 25 percent drop on average occupancy rate
between January and August, they were optimistic for the rest of the year, with
several hotels reporting some November dates fully booked.
Prakit added though that the outlook depended on the Thai political situation as
any further protests would continue to damage the country’s image, citing the
cancellation of all bookings from China for the September 19 period when
protestors staged large gatherings.
Arrivals drought decimates Thailand’s Korea operators
Sirima Eamtako,
TTG Asia
More than half of Thailand’s inbound South Korean tour companies have gone bust
due to falling arrivals, but tour operators are hopeful of a rebound beginning
this month.
Of the original 200 companies based in Bangkok specializing in the inbound South
Korean market, less than 100 firms remain open, according to Association of Thai
Travel Agents honorary treasurer Suwannee Sakkumjorn.
She said the Thai political crisis and the A/H1N1 pandemic were to blame for the
30 percent decline in South Korean arrivals. The subsequent drop in cash flow
caused firms to close down, especially those owned and operated by South
Koreans.
Suwannee said the trade was keeping a close eye on October as airlines announce
new capacity and routes from South Korea, including low-cost carrier Jin Air’s
new daily flight between Seoul and Bangkok from October 29.
However, the number of South Korean arrivals to Thailand this year and next
would depend on the Thai political situation and A/H1N1 concerns, Suwannee said.
Between January and July, about 353,891 South Koreans arrived in Thailand, a
32.6 percent fall from the same period last year.
Thailand unveils new
MICE incentives
Sirima Eamtako,
TTG Asia
The Thailand Convention and Exhibition Bureau (TCEB) has launched a dedicated
MICE campaign called Thailand Maximize, offering a wide range of financial
subsidies to attract international events.
TCEB exhibitions director and acting president Supawan Teerarat said the
campaign aims to emphasize the country’s ability to offer top MICE facilities
and services at value prices.
She said the subsidies would help the country attract more MICE planners and
visitors, whose budgets have tightened under the current economic downturn.
Financial support under the Thailand Maximize campaign is divided into three
segments: Max Value for meetings and incentives, Max Rewards for conventions,
and Max Bonus for exhibitions.
The offers are available in cash and kind for eligible events and visitors, and
are valid until September next year.
Supawan said the campaign - to be promoted through aggressive international
marketing and media activity - would help the country meet its MICE targets of
500,000 visitors and 41 billion baht (US$1.2 billion) in revenue for this year,
and 10 percent growth next year.
Mermaids Dive Center sets new record in Pattaya
Clean-up drive attracts more than 200 participants
Breakfast finished and ready to head out to sea.
Sheena Walls
On September 19, Mermaids Dive Center, a PADI 5-star Career Development
Center based in Jomtien, held its annual Project AWARE International clean-up on
the south beach and reef of Sak Island. Koh Sak is located 30-40 minutes from
Pattaya Beach. Project AWARE is an international NGO dedicated to educating the
public about the importance and responsibility of preserving the aquatic
environment and its resources.
In 2008, Mermaids gathered 176 participants who collected 1.5 tons of trash.
Donations, proceeds and the evening raffle assisted in securing an outstanding
156,000 baht to Project AWARE. The aim for the clean-up this year was to have
200 participants, clean-up our local reefs and beach and raise as much money as
possible for Project AWARE funding.
 Making
way from Bali Hai pier.
A staggering 203 participants took part this year. They came as non-swimmers,
snorkelers and, of course, divers. Many were locals from Pattaya and Bangkok, as
well as participants from international schools based in Bangkok. Mermaids staff
and students joined the day diving and cleaning, as well as handling the day’s
logistics.
The day began at 6:30 a.m. at the main operations center, based near the Hanuman
Statue in Jomtien. After registering and receiving their clean-up day T-shirt
and eating breakfast, participants collected their diving or snorkeling
equipment.
Setting off in a convoy to the seven boats moored and ready for arrival at Bali
Hai Pier in South Pattaya, the mood was one of excitement and determination to
collect as much trash as possible. On board each boat, the Mermaids’ boat master
gave a briefing about the schedule for the day, a detailed overview of the
facilities and safety procedures, including the role of the safety speedboat.
Teams in the water, buddies paired up, the
collection is set to begin.
The objective was to dive and snorkel, followed by a sumptuous lunch after which
everyone would be off to the beach for the clean-up. The afternoon again would
be one dive as well as snorkeling. Soon, all seven boats were racing to Koh Sak
with the speedboat clearly in the lead.
 Staff
welcomes divers to the event and handles the check-in sheets.
On arrival at Koh Sak, everyone received a dive and snorkel brief from the team
leaders on board, and for the next hour, divers and snorkelers brought trash
back to their boats to be separated and counted by the dive support teams, and
logged for Project AWARE. Several crabs and octopi were released after being
found tangled up in nets.
After the first session, the crews served a fabulous cooked lunch on each boat.
The discussions quickly led to last year where there was clearly more rubbish.
It would seem that ongoing efforts are hitting the target at least in a small
way. Those that did not join last year still remarked that there was a lot of
rubbish.
 It’s
a fun day for kids, too.
Soon it was time for everyone to swim or snorkel to the beach. Those that were
unable to swim were collected from their boats by the Mermaids safety speedboat
and put ashore to join the other cleaners. The beach again proved to be a
collection point for rubbish, but everyone soon made short work of clearing this
up. Before swimming back to their boat, everyone gathered for a group photo to
mark this special day. The safety speedboat once again delivered the
non-swimmers safely back to their boats, and then made the trip back to the
beach to collect and distribute the trash collected amongst the seven boats.
Soon it was time for the second dive and more snorkeling, and, after their
briefings, everyone got back in the water for a final attempt for the day at
collecting more trash. Once everyone was back on board and all accounted for,
the seven boats made their way back to Bali Hai pier followed by the safety
speedboat.
This year, the trash was estimated at 1.8 tons and the boat crews set about
loading pickup trucks in order for the trash to be disposed of. Items collected
included a huge amount of glass bottles, plastic bags, beverage cans, clothing,
fishing line, food containers, fishing nets, rope, batteries, car parts, fan
belts, an anchor, cigarette lighters, a bowling ball and a Russian diver’s
certification card! The funniest item found was Dino the Dinosaur by Simon of
NIST School in Bangkok.
For the evening event, participants arrived at the Jomtien Boathouse Restaurant
on Beach Road, Jomtien, to be greeted with a Mermaids clean-up key ring and
other gifts to mark the day. After an amazing buffet everyone settled down to
hear the thank you speeches, which included all Mermaids staff and students for
organizing such a great day, the participants who took part, and Georgina
Boreham from NIST. Georgina was responsible for many of the school participants.
Everyone also took the opportunity to do a last-minute rush to buy raffle
tickets to win prizes ranging from diving equipment to hotel stays that were
very generously donated by Mermaids Dive Center, Dadriba, Captains Corner
Restaurant, Bugslock, Jomtien Boathouse, ARC Publishing, DAN Asia Pacific, Casa
Pascal Restaurant, Entergraph, Aquamaster, Pinnacle Hotel, Asia Pattaya Hotel,
Hard Rock Hotel, Aiyaree Hotel, Siac Consulting, the U.S. Navy League and Dive
Supply in Phuket.
Once all the prizes had been given and items auctioned a grand total of 68,850
baht was raised and will be donated to PADI/Project AWARE.
After the MC had completed the prize-giving, the evening’s entertainment began
and everyone relaxed with some great music and celebrated a hard day’s cleaning.
Most agreed it was a worthwhile event and would return next year to take part
again.
Ms. Sheena Walls, general manager of Mermaids Dive Center, said, “Thank you
again to all those who helped organize and that were involved in the clean-up.
The sense of achievement we all feel is indescribable. We look forward to
everyone returning in 2010 to take part again.”
Peter Waagensen, managing director of Mermaids Dive Center, said, “It was a
fabulous day and the positive feedback and comments from those who took part
warmed my heart.”
Before swimming back to their boat, everyone
gathered
for a group photo to mark this special day.
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