Articles tagged “thailand”

Food tourism has taken over the world, and few destinations are as primed to capitalize on the trend as Thailand. Tour operators, hotels, and others in the travel sector are rapidly enhancing the ways in which visitors experience the country’s culinary offerings — and meeting planners are taking note.

While it focuses on arresting a drop in Chinese arrivals, Thailand should spend equal or more time assessing why European arrivals are declining. It's the higher spending market. The reasons are different, and it's time for Thailand to look internally rather than blame external factors like Brexit, the baht, and a trade war for Europe's shrinkage.

It’s easy to blame the baht as the butt of the problem for a decline in European arrivals to Thailand. The issues, however, are wider and deeper than just currency appreciation.

This is a high-profile case that pits a powerful Thai family against a reputable global luxury hotel brand. It also spotlights the reality that this won’t be the last of owner-and-chain disputes, especially not when times are getting harder.

As meeting planners worldwide look for unique venues and programming that will wow attendees, Thailand is stepping up its meetings and incentives efforts. Big investments in infrastructure, hotels, venues, and transportation networks — not to mention top-flight food and gorgeous beaches — are already paying multi-million dollar dividends.

Global chains and hotel owners will watch this case closely as it addresses the contentious issue of whether brand consolidation affects the ability of chains to drive business to a hotel.

Quality tourism is a term that has been bandied about by Southeast Asian destinations. It’s high time they stop and give real thought to it.

It’s one of the most astute destination marketers around, but the Tourism Authority of Thailand is facing a different test of skills as it turns 60 years old next year. Will it be as artful in developing “responsible tourism” for the kingdom?

Most countries are still prejudiced against the Indian passport. That's a shame. Indian travelers are a legitimate, growing source for the global tourism industry. Thailand understands that; Australia not yet. Maybe it'll take a cricket match to change that.

Tourism Authority of Thailand executives are keen to spread the tourism wealth to its emerging destinations. Encouraging tour operators to offer programs beyond the popular destinations is a noble goal, but are the tour operators listening?