US TRAGEDY EXPECTED TO HURT THAI TOURISM INDUSTRY

The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) is expecting a sharp drop in US visitor arrivals in the aftermath of the World Trade Centre tragedy in New York, and has announced a number of subsequent changes in its plans and strategies.

At a press conference on September 12 at the TAT head office, TAT Governor Mr. Pradech Phayakvichien said he joined the Thai Royal Family, government and people of Thailand in expressing the profound sorrow of the entire Thai tourism industry to the people of the United States. He also expressed his deep and sincere condolences to the bereaved families of the victims.

The governor said the TAT’s New York office on the 37th floor of the WTC’s North Building was completely destroyed.

New York Office Director Mr. Sethapan Budhani was not in the US at the time, having just returned to Bangkok to attend the Thailand Travel Mart to be held between September 16-20, in Pattaya. Assistant Director Mrs. Namfon Boonyawat was slightly injured with a few burns and is recovering in a New York hospital.

Three other local staff were not in the building at the time.
All communications including telephone, fax, toll-free phone system and e-mails have been diverted to the Los Angeles Office. TAT has requested the Royal Thai Consular Office in New York to allow its use as a temporary office.

In 2000, Thailand received a total of 473,285 visitors from the US, a strong growth of 13.26% over 1999. Visitors from the US alone contributed a total of 18.53 billion baht (or US$462.08 million) tourism foreign exchange revenue to the Thai economy.

TAT had targetted 600,000 visitor arrivals from the US in 2001. During January-June 2001, American visitors to Thailand totalled 262,412, a strong increase of 13.17% over the same period of 2000 and a much higher growth than the 7.86% growth in overall visitors.

Governor Pradech said, “The US tragedy will hurt the Thai tourism industry. We expect that the number of visitors especially from the U.S. East Coast will drop during the next few months.”

He cited three major factors which will affect global tourism: 1) The change of visitor behaviour and travel psychology, making them more concerned about safety and security, 2) Impact on the US economy and possibility of higher oil prices, and 3) Further violence resulting from both terrorist actions and retaliation of the US government.

He expressed hope that the targeted total arrivals and tourism foreign exchange revenues for 2001 will still be met. In order to do this, TAT plans to divert its marketing and promotion budgets from the US market to other potential and domestic markets. Some of the money will also be channelled into further upgrading tourism products and services in Thailand.

Mr. Pradech said TAT will closely monitor the US market by working with Thai tour operators and American travel agents during the next few months. Senior TAT executives and executives of leading Thai tour operators are also planning to meet to discuss alternative plans and strategies.

At the same time, the Thai government has reinforced security measures to ensure the safety of Thais and foreign visitors. Police, military forces and authorities are carefully patrolling all major public places, tourism-related facilities and foreign missions in Thailand.