Issue #135 - This Week's Top 8 Travel & Tourism Talking Points in... Thailand!
Thailand continues making headlines as arrivals near one-quarter of its 2024 target.
Welcome to issue 135 of Asia Travel Re:Set.
Is there another nation that so consistently generates tourism headlines like Thailand?
Perhaps China runs it close in Asia, but Thailand is unquestionably adept at pressing the media’s buttons.
And it appears in no mood to step off the story accelerator.
So, as we compete Q1 of 2024, let’s follow that train of thought.
Thanks for checking-in.
- “IN THE NEWS”
- This Week's Top 8 Travel & Tourism Talking Points in Thailand!
Thailand’s tourism recovery continues to make headlines.
- The Eco-Tourism Adventurer of Laos
In conversation with Inthy Deuansavanh, President of Inthira Group.
“IN THE NEWS”
“Imagine jumping on a train in southwestern China, traveling 2,000 miles and arriving in Singapore – less than 30 hours later.” China's plan to connect Beijing (via Kunming) by train with Singapore (and Laos, Thailand and Malaysia en route) is not new - but what is the current status? And how are the geopolitical issues surrounding this massive pan-regional infrastructure programme shifting? Thanks to Heather Chen at CNN for including some of my comments in this broad-ranging update about the challenges of building a China-ASEAN rail network. Click HERE to read.
This Week’s Top 8 Travel & Tourism Talking Points in Thailand!
This week, Thailand took a big stride towards becoming the first South East Asian nation (and 3rd jurisdiction in Asia) to legalise same-sex marriage. Some 400 of the 415 lawmakers present in parliament’s House of Representatives (lower house) passed the marriage equality bill. It next moves to the Senate. If passed there, it would require Royal consent. The bill could become law later this year. [Bangkok Post]
In another potential legal shift, Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin gave his support for legalising casinos. If passed into law, this would pave the way for Thailand to develop ‘integrated resorts’ featuring gaming, hotels, dining, shopping and entertainment on a similar model to Singapore and Macau. Thailand’s long pathway to legalising gaming has been controversial, and “legalization is complex and fraught with challenges.” [Thai Enquirer]
8.73 million. That’s the total of arrivals to Thailand in the year so far to 24 March. The table above shows China has consolidated its position as the #1 inbound market in 2024, with 1.63 million arrivals, follows by Malaysia (1.11 million), Russia, South Korea and India. [Ministry of Tourism & Sports]
Thailand aims to surpass its 2019 tally of 39.9 million inbound arrivals in 2024 by reaching its coveted 40 million milestone. But, its total airline seat capacity sits stubbornly at -22% compared to March 2024. So, “are its tourism ambitions way off base?” asks this detailed OAG analysis of Thailand’s post-pandemic air recovery. The biggest elephant standing half-in and half-out of the airport terminal remains China - but it’s not alone. Great read, and some eye-opening graphics. [OAG]
The Prime Minister reiterated the importance of tourism to the nation’s economic recovery while opening this week’s Thailand Tourism Festival. “Tourism is front and centre of the government’s policy in socio-economic development,” he said. The goal is to “harness the strength of the Thai soft powers [alongside] rich tourism resources to propel Thailand into becoming a tourism hub.” [Tourism Authority of Thailand]
On-point comments by the Federation of Thai Tourism Associations about Thailand’s government-driven efforts to increase visitor arrivals. Its Secretary-General Adith Chairattananon points out than an imbalance of demand and supply could overburden infrastructure. “Tourism operators surely benefit from soaring demand, but if we ignore the development of supply our industry will not be sustainable.” [Bangkok Post]
More tourists bring more risks - and visitor safety made news this week in Phuket. Thailand’s Health Minister launched the Phuket Island Safety Sandbox. The scheme follows delayed medical treatment for a Chinese tourist injured in a parasailing accident in February. The pilot project is the first in Thailand, and aims to make the island “disease and health hazard-free” for tourists. [The Phuket News]
And finally… look out for media coverage of the official launch of Air-mazing Thailand (on Tuesday) to promote international flights to secondary cities. The government scheme brings together the Civil Aviation Authority of Thailand, Airports of Thailand and the Tourism Authority of Thailand as part of efforts to establish the nation as “an aviation hub geographically located in the middle of Asia Pacific”. [The Nation]
The Eco-Tourism Adventurer of Laos
Laos is a beautiful land-locked nation clad in forested mountains whose adventure and eco-tourism sectors are developing from a low base. This week, we welcome Inthy Deuansavanh, Head of Vientiane-based Inthira Group, which owns and operates eco-minded hotels, resorts, restaurants and adventure travel experiences across Laos.
A lifelong hiker and camping enthusiast, Inthy discusses the evolution of adventure tourism in Laos, and the need for more eco-conscious tour operators. He explains how the China-Laos train is opening access to remote areas, and the importance of local community involvement in tourism. And, what is the ‘Coffee in the Sky’ experience?
Listen to ‘The Eco-Tourism Adventurer of Laos: In Conversation with Inthy Deuansavanh, Inthira Group’, here:
Or search for The South East Asia Travel Show on any podcast platform
And, that’s a wrap for Issue 135.
The Asia Travel Re:Set newsletter will return next Sunday.
Until then, find me at LinkedIn and The South East Asia Travel Show
Happy travels,
Gary