Tourism

Thailand Prepares for 20 Million Foreign Visitors in 2023

Thailand Continues to be Unprepared for Life Without Tourists

Thailand’s tourism revenue is expected to reach 80% of pre-Covid-19 levels this year, with foreign visitor numbers returning to half of previous levels. On Monday Thailand set a target of raising tourism revenue to 2.38 trillion baht by 2023, with at least 20 million foreign visitors expected.

This represented approximately 80% of pre-Covid tourism-related revenue, with visitor numbers expected to return to approximately 50% of previous levels.

Hopper, a popular online travel agency, has predicted an increase in international travel to Asia, with Bangkok ranked among the top three trending destinations, alongside Tokyo and Ho Chi Minh City.

The report was based on searches for flight information by Americans in 2023 during the first week of December.

Hopper predicted that more Americans would travel abroad in 2023, particularly to Asian cities. American searches for international flights to Asian cities accounted for 27% of the total, up from 19% the previous year. Bangkok was the third most popular destination after Tokyo and Ho Chi Minh City.

Thailand’s tourism agencies have since increased their cooperation with other countries in order to encourage tourist exchanges. Thailand’s Tourism Authority and the Korea Tourism Organization declared 2023-2024 as years of tourism between the two countries.

The collaboration is expected to result in at least 3 million tourist exchanges. The two-year collaboration is also hoped strengthen ties between Thailand and South Korea.

Thailand Prepares for 20 Million Foreign Visitors in 2023

Tourism Rebounding in Southern Thailand

On the southern resort island of Phuket tourism is rebounding, with over 2.3 million visitors and at least 127 billion baht in tourism revenue in the first ten months of 2022.

Business owners are optimistic that international tourist arrivals will continue to rise this year, but they recognize that it may take more than a year for the industry to fully recover.

Despite its devastation, the Covid-19 pandemic sparked the so-called “Phuket Sandbox,” a reopening model for international travelers, and forced large and small business operators to weather the crisis, learn about what it takes to adapt, and rebuild their confidence.

“We’re back, though we’re not sure how things will turn out. Some believe Covid-19 will return. You don’t get anxious after surviving the pandemic.

“We went through a very hard time, so I think we can endure a little more and follow the sufficiency economy philosophy of King Rama IX. “We intend to boost tourism even more, making it shine and sparkle,” said Panin Kitiparaporn, CEO of Siam Niramit Phuket.

While natural beauty draws visitors to Phuket, tourism in the island is more than just beaches. Visitors also spend a lot of money on cultural and entertainment shows.

The cast and crew of stage performances did not set foot on stage for about two years due to virus restrictions. Siam Niramit Phuket remained closed until late October, more than a year after its sister theater, Siam Niramit Bangkok, closed.

Theater in Phuket Thailand

After 16 years of operation, one of the most difficult decisions was to permanently close Siam Niramit Bangkok in September 2021. It was founded in October 2005 and quickly gained a reputation for showcasing traditional Thai performances before opening a sister theater in Phuket a few years later.

To build the 1.5 billion baht theater, the company leased a 24-rai land plot opposite the Thailand Cultural Centre. With seven years left on the lease and numerous uncertainties, it decided to close the Bangkok theater completely.

“When the pandemic first struck and forced the suspension, we kept our staff. However, when the situation did not improve, we had to let most of them go, though we kept the building and equipment-maintenance staff. “We expected to return one day,” Ms. Panin told the Bangkok Post.

Siam Niramit Phuket is built on a 57-rai land plot that the company purchased as part of the two-billion-baht investment. It was a local hotspot that drew crowds until the pandemic hit. Attendance at the theater has been around 30%-40% since reopening on October 20, but the company has not set any targets and will take things as they come, she said.

According to Ms. Panin, Siam Niramit Phuket has been renovated and new shows have been added to ensure visitors have an enjoyable experience of Thai culture and history.

“It took us three years to develop the theater, and it has become our pride. “We spent a lot of money on maintenance and reworking our shows,” she explained.

Thailand Prepares for 20 Million Foreign Visitors in 2023

Thailand’s Tourist Attractions reopening

Ms. Panin also owns Dream World, an amusement park in Pathum Thani’s Rangsit area, as well as small theme parks in shopping malls, all of which were affected by the lockdown. “After my doctor friend said Covid-19 wouldn’t end quickly, I called a meeting.

It was difficult to keep the businesses afloat with 2,000 employees, so I told each operation to try to manage. “We strictly followed labor laws,” she explained.

Several privately run zoos found themselves in financial trouble due to a sharp drop in visitors during the Covid-19 restrictions. A tiger zoo in Patong, Phuket, was no exception.

Tiger Kingdom Phuket executive Kotchakorn Chaiyabut said the tiger park was temporarily closed during the pandemic, and the company spent a fortune, including taking out loans to cover the costs of animal care and welfare while the gates were closed.

She also expressed gratitude to the public for making donations and providing the tiger park with a much-needed lifeline. Their generosity and support demonstrated that the park is a part of the community, she said.

According to Kotchakorn, the park has recovered some ground more than six months after reopening, and with attendance at around 70%, it can be said Tiger Kingdom Phuket is getting back on its feet.

“We’re looking forward to the return of the European, American and Indian markets. “When Chinese tourists return and international airlines resume full service, the entire province will become as vibrant as ever,” she predicted.

Thailand Prepares for 20 Million Foreign Visitors in 2023

Phuket has made a strong recovery

Kotchakorn attributed the tourism market’s revival to all stakeholders and the staging of major events such as the Laguna Phuket Triathlon, which drew tourists from all over the world. According to Nanthasiri Ronnasiri, director of the Phuket Tourism Authority, the TAT has been working with the local community to stimulate economic activity in the province, and Phuket has made a strong recovery.

She predicted that the revival of tourism in Phuket, the southern region’s top destination, would boost tourism in secondary provinces.

A 6.6-billion-baht nighttime theme park recently burst onto the local scene, with the goal of becoming a tourist must-see and revitalizing the sector.

Carnival Magic, which provides Thai-style carnivals, parades, and temple fairs, first opened its doors on September 20 of last year, just in time to welcome tourists during the peak season. Its concept is based on the success of Phuket FantaSea, which has been operating for 22 years and spans 100 rai.

Kittikorn Kewkacha, president and CEO of Carnival Magic Co, stated that Phuket FantaSea was closed for nearly two years during Covid-19 due to border closures that kept visitors from major markets away.

Thailand Prepares for 20 Million Foreign Visitors in 2023

Optimistic about the island’s future

Covid-19 is one of the worst crises that Phuket’s tourism operators have faced, but they must remain optimistic about the island’s future, he says. Mr Kittikorn believes that the tourism industry will fully recover in two years and that restarting tourism now will not be as difficult as it was two decades ago when only 2 million tourists visited Phuket each year before arrivals increased to 15 million.

According to Mr Kittikorn, one of the lessons learned from the pandemic is that businesses must act quickly in the face of drastic change, and they must abandon some practices that work in a normal situation.

When Phuket FantaSea reopened in late February of last year, the stage was set for the opening of Carnival Magic, which had been under construction for several years on the plot adjacent to Phuket FantaSea.

“Carnival Magic is one of the country’s largest investments, and with no new products introduced in the region, it will become the’star,’ offering visitors unique experiences, world-class services, and creativity,” he explained.

He believes that the opening of the nighttime theme park will attract more international tourists and help revitalize the island’s tourism industry.

He hopes to welcome two million tourists this year, with a 70:30 split between international and domestic markets, with the majority of foreign visitors coming from India, China, Europe, Australia, and the Middle East.

Tourism

Interior Ministry Introduces New 180 Day Destination Thailand Visa

People from more nations will be now able to enter Thailand without a visa beginning Monday. This is part of an effort to increase tourism and encourage visitors to stay longer, Interior Ministry spokeswoman Traisuree Taisaranakul said on Friday.

According to Ms. Traisuree, Interior Minister Anutin Charnvirakul has signed four documents that will make it easier for foreigners to travel. These modifications will all take effect on Monday, provided they are published in the Royal Gazette.

The instructions include 93 more nations on the list of individuals who can visit Thailand without a visa, up from 57 previously. People from these countries can stay for a maximum of 60 days. Additionally, from 19 to 31, nearly twice as many nations will be able to obtain visas on arrival in Thailand.

To attract digital nomads, artists, and tourists interested in learning or practicing skills such as cooking and Muay Thai, the country will also introduce the Destination Thailand Visa service.

The new form of visa, which is valid for five years, allows travelers to stay for up to 180 days.

According to Ms. Traisuree, students holding visas for master’s degrees or higher will not be required to leave Thailand immediately upon graduation. They will be able to stay for an additional year to hunt for work or vacation.

In order to enhance the economy and tourism, the cabinet took a general decision on these additional measures in May. The statement was meant to be released in June, but it was pushed back.

Ms. Traisuree believes that this is the greatest sort of visa for persons who want to work from home in the Land of Smiles and explore the nation without the various restrictions and complications that come with conventional tourist visas.

Getting a DTV will give you a 5-year multiple-entry visa that lets you stay in Thailand for a total of 180 days a year, with the opportunity to stay for another 180 days.

Ms. Traisuree said that the Destination Thailand Visa is great if you want to work from home in the Land of Smiles and see the sights without the many restrictions and problems that come with a regular tourist visa. The Destination Thailand Visa will cost 10,000 THB.

Qualifications for the Thailand Destination Visa (DTV)

According to Thai Embassy, to be eligible for the visa, you must fulfill the following conditions (which could change):

You have to be 20 years of age or older
You have to be able to afford the cost of the visa
To sustain your stay in the nation, you must demonstrate that you have at least 500,000 THB in your bank account
Proof of your employment with a recognized company is required.

For digital nomads or remote workers who want to make the most of their travels and yet have the opportunity to work while they’re there, the Destination Thailand Visa is designed just for you. Additionally, it is ideal if you are traveling to Thailand in order to partake in any of the following activities:

Thai food prepared with Muay Thai
Instruction and conferences
Sports medicine therapy
International talent International music and art events

Thailand DTV Visa Benefits

Additionally, there is uncertainty about these details and they could change:

In comparison to other Southeast Asian nations that provide comparable visas, Thailand has less stringent income requirements and charges for the visa. For another 10,000 THB, you can extend the visa once, for a maximum of 180 days.
There are ninety-three foreign nations that qualify for the Thailand DTV Visa.
With this visa, you can lawfully operate remotely for foreign clients and companies while in Thailand.
Your spouse and any children under the age of twenty may accompany you.
You are exempt from paying taxes on your foreign income because the visa allows you to stay in Thailand for up to 180 days.

Drawbacks of a Thailand DTV Visa

You are unable to work for a Thai company that needs a Thai work visa, even though you are still able to engage in some activities and make money. Your DTV will end if you decide to change the kind of visa you are currently on.

Additional information on the visa’s release date and application process will be available in late June or early July of 2024. You will most likely be able to apply for it via the Thai immigration office, a Thai embassy, or a Royal Thai Consulate.

Tourism

Hotels in Thailand Fret as German Itravel Group Files for Bankruptcy

Thailand’s Hotels Association (THA) reports that another German tour operator has gone bankrupt, but that this will have a far less effect than the recent bankruptcy of FTI Touristik.

Following notification from the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT), the Thai Hotels Association has now confirmed that the Cologne-based luxury tour operator Itravel Group has formally filed for bankruptcy.

Southern Thailand is home to numerous high-end resorts, which Itravel aims to attract, according to Thai Hotels Association president Thienprasit Chaiyapatranun.

As a result of Itravel’s bankruptcy, he said, the hotels association is currently collecting data from its members.

On Monday, the organization wrote to the TAT and the Foreign Ministry, requesting that they assist hotel operators in keeping up with legal developments surrounding the bankruptcy of the German tour operator FTI, which resulted in a loss of almost 111 million baht for hotels around the country.

Hotels having issues with Itravel

On Monday, during the THA monthly meeting, Mr. Thienprasit noted that they also emphasized the case’s urgency to Minister Sermsak Pongpanit of Tourism and Sports.

In response to allegations that hotel operators with business partnerships with Itravel were experiencing issues with financial transactions, the agency issued an alert to the industry, according to Siripakorn Cheawsamoot, TAT deputy governor for Europe, Africa, the Middle East and the Americas.

He speculated that the losses might be lower with Itravel, an online travel agency that focuses on the niche luxury market, than with FTI, the third operator.

According to the Bangkok Post, at Monday’s THA meeting, Mr. Sermsak stated that the ministry will look into measures to assist hotels, especially since the goal of 3.5 trillion baht in tourism earnings for this year is still very ambitious.

According to Mr. Thienprasit, the organization is opposed to the government’s plans to increase the legal foreign ownership of condominiums from 49% to 75%. This, he added, might lead to an increase in unlawful accommodations and make other condo residents feel uneasy about having more guests around the clock.

Unscrupulous investors

He said that some international investors are already breaking the law by renting out their rooms to day guests, even though the Hotel Act only permits rentals of at least 30 days.

An increase in the foreign ownership quota for condos, according to Mr. Thienprasit, could entice unscrupulous investors and lead to the construction of even more unlawful rooms, which now exceed the number of registered hotel rooms by a factor of two.

The success of Thailand’s hotel industry is highly dependent on the business of tour operators. These collaborations bring in a constant flow of visitors, particularly during busy seasons.

It is more convenient for passengers to book comprehensive packages offered by tour operators, which include hotel accommodations and activities. Because of this arrangement, hotels may anticipate a specific amount of bookings without having to spend a lot on advertising.

Additionally, hotels are able to provide more affordable rates, which appeals to guests who are mindful of their budget. But if tour operators go through slumps or start focusing on other places, this dependence might be disastrous.

Source: Bangkok Post, Thai PBS

Tourism

Embracing Paradise: Your Guide to an Unforgettable Vacation in Los Cabos

Nestled at the southern tip of the Baja California Peninsula, Los Cabos emerges as a paradise where the desert meets the sea, offering a unique blend of natural wonders, luxurious accommodations, and vibrant culture. Whether you seek serene relaxation, thrilling adventures, or cultural explorations, Los Cabos promises an idyllic escape that exceeds expectations.

Discovering Pristine Beaches

Los Cabos is renowned for its stunning beaches, each with its own charm and allure. Sink your toes into the soft sands of Medano Beach, a bustling stretch perfect for sunbathing and people-watching. For a more secluded experience, explore the rugged beauty of Santa Maria Beach, ideal for snorkeling amidst vibrant marine life in crystal-clear waters. Enhance your beach experience with guided tours and snorkeling excursions offered by https://boattripsloscabos.com/, where you can explore the coastline and underwater wonders with expert guides.

Embarking on Aquatic Adventures

Venture into the azure waters of the Sea of Cortez and Pacific Ocean for thrilling water activities. Dive into snorkeling or scuba diving expeditions to discover underwater treasures like colorful coral reefs and curious sea creatures. Set sail on a whale-watching tour during the winter months to witness majestic humpback whales breaching against the backdrop of the Pacific horizon.

Exploring the Baja Desert

Beyond its pristine coastline, Los Cabos boasts dramatic desert landscapes waiting to be explored. Take an ATV or jeep tour through the rugged terrain of the Baja desert, where towering cacti and unique rock formations paint a striking contrast against the deep blue sky. Visit the Sierra de la Laguna Biosphere Reserve for hiking trails that lead to hidden oases and panoramic vistas of the surrounding desert.

Indulging in Culinary Delights

Los Cabos is a culinary paradise, offering a fusion of traditional Mexican flavors with international influences. Sample fresh seafood tacos at local taquerías or dine on gourmet cuisine crafted by world-renowned chefs at upscale restaurants overlooking the ocean. Savor authentic Baja cuisine with dishes like fish tacos, ceviche, and grilled octopus paired perfectly with locally produced wines and craft cocktails.

Experiencing Vibrant Nightlife

As the sun sets, Los Cabos transforms into a lively nightlife destination. Explore the vibrant nightlife scene in Cabo San Lucas with its array of beachfront bars, live music venues, and pulsating nightclubs. Dance the night away under the stars or enjoy a sunset cocktail overlooking the marina, where the atmosphere buzzes with energy and excitement.

Relaxing in Luxury Resorts

Los Cabos boasts a plethora of luxurious resorts and boutique hotels that cater to every traveler’s desire for relaxation and indulgence. Unwind in infinity pools with panoramic ocean views, rejuvenate with holistic spa treatments inspired by ancient Mexican traditions, or tee off on world-class golf courses designed by golf legends amidst stunning coastal landscapes.

Immersing in Local Culture

Immerse yourself in the rich cultural heritage of Los Cabos with visits to historic landmarks like the Mission San Jose del Cabo Church or art galleries showcasing local and international artists. Browse through vibrant markets selling handmade crafts, textiles, and souvenirs, or attend cultural festivals and events celebrating Mexican traditions, music, and dance.

Planning Your Los Cabos Escape

Whether you’re planning a romantic getaway, a family vacation, or a solo adventure, Los Cabos offers a perfect blend of relaxation, adventure, and cultural immersion. With its breathtaking landscapes, diverse activities, and warm hospitality, Los Cabos ensures a memorable vacation that leaves you rejuvenated and inspired, promising a return to its paradise shores time and again.