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Thailand: Firms eager to greet Chinese
Tourism operators are pleading with locals not to discriminate against returning Chinese visitors once the virus is contained following a survey that found half of mainland tourists are ready to take overseas trips. Thailand ranked among the top destinations.
Ivy Alliance Tourism Consulting, China Comfort Travel Group and Pacific Asia Travel Association conducted a survey of 1,252 potential Chinese tourists from 30 provinces across the country that indicated 60% of them want to travel within this year if the pandemic is effectively controlled by April.
With the uncertainty of the spread in some foreign countries, 41% of the Chinese surveyed said they have a travel plan but could not give the exact timing, while those wanting to travel in July and August totalled 32%. The survey respondents who wanted to travel in September and October tallied 39%, attributed to national holidays during that period.
Among the 45% of tourists insisting they want to take overseas trips, Thailand was ranked No.2 along with Europe, while Japan topped the chart at 18%.
Their main concerns were health and safety issues while travelling (67%), followed by worries the disease may spread again (44%), and limited income or a desire to save money (32%).
Meanwhile, 29% of them were afraid of facing discrimination against Chinese tourists because of the pandemic.
The pandemic is affecting every country equally, and every nationality faces the same level of risk, said Vichit Prakobgosol, president of the Association of Thai Travel Agents (Atta).
Once Thailand can control the outbreak, tourism operators still need a recovery period, during which international tourists can revive the battered segment and boost the domestic economy.
“I’m hopeful anti-Chinese sentiment and coronavirus-related discrimination towards any particular nationality will not happen in Thailand,” Mr Vichit said. “I think Thais should continue our services without prejudice.”
Initially Chinese tour operators expect tourists to take international trips, including to Thailand, by June, but there are growing concerns about the virus situation in some destinations.
“Since the Thai government has implemented stronger measures such as invoking the emergency decree and lockdowns in some provinces, we believe the business can get back on track in June, which is in line with demand in this market,” he said.
Mr Vichit said the tourism industry has suffered for two months. If operators can access soft loans in May and see a return of Chinese tourists by June, a vast number of businesses and workers will be rescued from this crisis.
Atta vice-president Surawat Akaraworamat said he doesn’t expect any anti-Chinese sentiment to happen as the industry is waiting for tourists to return.
The tight-knit relationship between the two countries will help tourism rebound quickly when Thailand is safe for travel again, unlike other destinations that may be overwhelmed by hate crimes against Asian tourists.
“Over the past few years, the image of Chinese tourists has become more positive in Thailand with the notorious zero-dollar tour issue being resolved,” said Chamnan Srisawat, president of the Thai Federation of Provincial Tourist Associations, noting Thailand faces intense competition from emerging destinations.
Source: https://www.bangkokpost.com/business/1896260/firms-eager-to-greet-chinese