THAI TOURISM IN DANGER DUE TO THAI ATTITUDES OF FOREIGNERS – Thailand
is currently suffering from a downturn in exports. This is attributed
to many global factors of demand and of course the strength of the Bath;
which the Government appears unwilling to tackle.
What could save the economy is Thailand’s tourist industry; however over the last few years this also has experience a downturn.
Thailand
currently has a number of tourism related issues that many feel are
critical to address if Thailand is to be able to compete against other
neighbouring countries that are embracing tourism for all it is worth,
such a Malaysia and Singapore.
So what are the problems that
Thailand must deal with in order to compete? There are the usual
concerns such a safety and the rising level of violent crime. Whilst
Thailand has a population of just 1/6
th that of the United States it’s gun related crime is six times higher.
On
top of that we have the continuous reports of foreign tourists being
mugged, scammed and raped; all of which are taking their toll on the
number of foreign tourists visiting Thailand.
Put
aside the most prevalent news of the issues above and look a little
deeper and it becomes apparent that Thailand lacks friendly staff,
services are generally sub-standard and communication difficult due to
the lack of tourist related employees being able to speak English; even
at a rudimentary level.
For a tourism industry to flourish a
number of key ingredients are needed; safety, friendliness, competency
and above all the ability to communicate.
If Thailand wants to
compete with other Asean members then it must adopt a far better
standard of education; so that Thais may communicate in a friendly,
helpful and effective manner with their foreign guests.
Of course,
for this to occur, the Thai authorities and Thai people must change
their attitudes towards foreign nationals. Foreign tourists should
never be viewed upon as simply being cash-cows but rather as valued
guests that allow Thais to learn about other cultures. Tourism, when
handled by an effective Government, produces benefits not only for its
country in economical terms but also in the education of it people as it
promotes a wider understanding.
A
recent study by the Centre for International Trade Studies, at the
University of the Thai Chamber of Commerce clearly shows that the Thai
economy could sustain itself through tourism even during a downturn in
exports if the tourism critical issues were addressed.
The
question now is; ‘are the Thais able to learn these skills?’ That in
itself is obvious in that anyone, regardless of nationality, is able to
learn new skills if there is sufficient desire and therefore the
question has to be presented; ‘are Thais willing to learn the skills
required for a successful tourist industry?’
The answer to that
lays in both the Government and the people. The Thai Government must
address the issues of its education system and notably the corruption
within the country. With a stable education system Thai citizens can
then adequately learn to communicate and above all appreciate different
cultures so that their attitudes change from the narcissistic and
nationalistic stance that Thais are the superior race and that all other
nationalities are little more than second class citizens.
Thailand
is now due to joining the Asean Economic Community (AEC) in 2016; after
postponing its entry in 2015. If Thailand is unable to quickly address
these critical areas then not only could it see a continued downturn in
import/export trade but it could also result in its tourist industry
fading to its neighbouring competitors and as such will almost certainly
have a devastating impact on the Thai economy.
The time for
rhetoric and useless populist polices, such as the ‘Rice Pledging
Scheme’ has to be put aside and the Government must, at all costs,
concentrate on providing an education system for its citizens that will
allow them to effectively compete with other AEC members.
There
are some quarters who feel that come 2016 the Thai Government will once
again postpone entry into AEC due to being unable to tackle the core and
fundamental issues Thailand has and yet the longer such measures are
delay the more damage is likely to impact the Thai economy as it becomes
almost segregated from the rest of South East Asia.
According to
Government figures Thailand is expected to attract nearly 35 million
foreign visitors a year by 2020. The tourist industry could generate,
according to Government figures, up to 2 trillion Thai Baht annually;
accounting for over 11% of Thailand’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP).
Currently
Malaysia is ahead of the tourism numbers with approximately 25 million
visitors a year compared to Thailand’s reported 22 million. Of course
neighbouring countries such as Vietnam, the Philippines, Cambodia, Laos
are also concentrating on the tourist trade and as Myanmar steps into
the scene the number of foreign tourists available is being spread even
thinner.
There is no doubt that Thailand is at a crossroads and it
has a clear choice but whether those ruling the country will sacrifice
their power and wealth through their continued control is another matter
but will ultimately seal the fate of Thailand as a nation and tourist
destination.
Sumber : meebal.com
