THE global Travel & Tourism industry is waiting with bated breath to see what happens next in the Middle East. After ignoring the rising geopolitical tension for months, the industry was jolted out of its comfort zones by a sharp escalation which threatened to again bring the entire house crashing down. Climate change and
Tag: tourism
Flagship UN report pinpoints pivotal role of Travel & Tourism in Asia-Pacific economic recovery
ROBUST domestic demand and Travel & Tourism are the two major factors contributing to the post-Covid economic recovery of the Asia-Pacific region, according to the flagship annual report of the UN Economic and Social Commission for the Asia-Pacific. Released on April 4, the report notes that although GDP growth has resumed, multiple risks loom large,
Read moreUN declares 2025 Year of Peace & Trust: Golden opportunity for Asean tourism to take the lead
THE UN General Assembly has proclaimed 2025 as the International Year of Peace and Trust (IYPT), and called for a full scale mobilisation of efforts to build sustainable peace, solidarity and harmony via political dialogue, mutual understanding and cooperation amongst nations and peoples. 2025 will mark the 80th anniversary since the end of World
Read morePATA tourism careers forum flags the perils and promises awaiting Gen Z
ON 18 March 2024, more than 1,500 university students of tourism, including about 700 onsite and another 800 online, attended a half-day forum organised by the PATA Thailand chapter and Bangkok University to “Fast Forward” their careers. It ended with a round of self-congratulatory applause and predictions of a bright future. But a closer
Read moreThai women tourism leaders set a global example for building peaceful, inclusive societies
TAKE a good look at this image above. See anything special? To mark International Women’s Day tomorrow (Mar. 8) let me shed some light on its deeper symbolism and significance. The two Thai women in the red oval frame are Ms. Sudawan Wangsuphakijkosol, minister of tourism and sports (seated) and Mrs. Thapanee Kiatphaibool, governor
Read moreThai travel industry urged to reduce usage of US$ for doing business
THE Thai travel & tourism industry has been warned about using the US dollar for business transactions and urged to use the currencies of the countries with which they are doing business. In a landmark lecture at this year’s joint meeting of the Association of Thai Travel Agents and the Thai Hotels Association on
Read moreThreat of overtourism returns as Thailand, China sign total visa-free travel deal, as of March 1
THAILAND and China have signed an agreement for the citizens of the two countries to get totally visa-free access, as of March 1, 2024. The move will set off a renewed boom in Chinese visitors and help the kingdom exceed its original arrival targets for 2024 beyond eight million for Chinese nationals and 35
Read moreThai tourism agencies get huge budget boost for post-Covid recovery
LED by a record 60% increase in the 2023/24 fiscal year budget of the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT), the Thai government is positioning the tourism industry as “the primary engine of economic growth” this year. However, those hopes are likely to be dashed in the event of a wider conflict in the Middle
Read moreThai tourism needs to learn the lessons of history
THE Thai tourism industry ended 2023 with 27.6 million visitors, just off the target of 30 million. It probably would have hit the target had it not been for incidents and events directly related to conflicts and violence, also known as “external shocks.” These were the Top Ten performing markets: In spite of irrefutable
Read moreForeign tourist arrivals in 2023 topping 27 million
THE TOTAL of foreign tourist arrivals in the outgoing year is soaring over 27 million in line with the government’s target with a new goal set to generate 3.5 trillion baht from this sector in the New Year, Thai Rath newspaper said this evening (Dec. 30). Mr. Chai Watcharong, spokesman for the Prime Minister’s
Read moreThai tourism bounds ahead after post-Covid surge
SINCE the 2021 end of the Covid-19 crisis, the Thai tourism industry has enjoyed a healthy revival and is likely to end 2023 just a little shy of 30 million visitors. While that may heighten optimism of hitting the pre-Covid total of 40 million in 2024, the Israel-Palestine war is already having a significant
Read morePATA chairman blasts global geopolitical unrest as ‘existential threat’ to tourism
By Imtiaz Muqbil – Executive Editor, Travel Impact Newswire Bangkok – Mr. Peter Semone, the American chairman of the Pacific Asia Travel Association, has unleashed a blistering attack on the “ethnocentrism and extreme views” dominating the political discourse in his country. “America used to be a melting pot where anyone could succeed regardless of
Read moreTourist arrivals soared last week thanks to Jay Chou’s concert
TOURIST arrivals increased significantly last week reaching 655,653 with there being a jump in holidaymakers from China who were drawn here by Taiwanese pop superstar Jay Chou’s concert, TV Channel 7 said today (Dec. 13). Tourism and Sports Minister Sudawan Wangsuphakijkosol said Jay Chou’s concert led to the number of Chinese tourists soaring to
Read morePolice Chief against deploying Chinese police in Thailand
NATIONAL Police Chief Pol.Gen. Torsak Sukwimon this afternoon (Nov. 13) said he does not agree with bringing Chinese police to patrol Thailand and ensure safety of Chinese tourists because this would be a violation of Thailand’s sovereignty, Thai News Agency and MNG Online said. The police chief stated his viewpoint on this issue after
Read moreChinese tourist arrivals plunged nearly 30% week over week
THE Ministry of Tourism and Sports said today (Oct. 10) the number of foreign tourists arriving in Thailand dropped week over week (Oct. 2-8, 2023 over Sep. 25-Oct. 1, 2023) especially those from China with their total plunging by 29.47%, TV Channel 7 said. Last week there were altogether 497,966 foreign tourists, a decrease
Read moreSrettha off to Phuket to resolve tourism woes
NEWLY-APPOINTED Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin flew to Phuket from Suvarnabhumi Airport early this morning (Aug. 25) to resolve problems hindering the growth of tourism on the island, particularly the expansion of its airport, Amarin TV said. He was accompanied by Dr. Prommin Lertsuridej, head of Pheu Thai Party’s policy working group, Mr. Jakkaphong Sangmanee
Read moreTourists invited to visit tiny Koh Rat island
THE Department of Rural Roads this morning (June 12) invited tourists to visit the tiny Koh Rat island that is now linked to mainland Surat Thani by the 500-metre-long Chalerm Siriraj Bridge – a project initiated by His Majesty the late King Bhumibol Adulyadej the Great and built by the department, TV Channel 7
Read morePolice give certificate to man who handed in tourist’s wallet
A THAI MAN who found a Singaporean woman’s wallet full of cash in Yaowarat area and handed it in to Plabplachai 2 police station was given a certificate of honour by this police team today (June 6), Matichon newspaper said. Pol.Col. Phanom Chuathong, superintendent of this station, said Mr. Chavalit Krisadarangsan, 77, told them
Read moreTravel agents warn wage hike will hit tourism industry
THE Association of Thai Travel Agents (Atta) warned that if the minimum wage is increased to 450 baht a day and further gradually increased every year it will definitely affect the economy with the tourism industry too impacted, Matichon newspaper said today (May 31). Mr. Sisdivachr Cheewarattanaporn, Atta’s president, said a minimum wage hike
Read morePita looks to promote tourism under THAI projects
By Thai Newsroom Reporter MOVE FORWARD LEADER PITA Limjaroenrat has confirmed over the weekend he is looking to promote tourism under what he has branded THAI projects. Posting on his Facebook page, the Move Forward leader who will likely be named the country’s 30th prime minister following the May 14 election put his tourism
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