Phuket’s Patong Beach
A CHARM offensive to encourage Chinese tourists to spend more on local goods and services is about to start in Thailand, but businesses say it’s unlikely to lead to the end of zero-dollar tours.
At the forefront of the plan to capitalise on the growth of Chinese visitors to Thailand is Phuket, where provincial authorities were asked to work closely with tour operators to emphasise community tourism and promote local products. Chiang Mai will be the second province to adopt the approach before it is expanded elsewhere.
Chiangmai To Travel’s owner Peter Rungrod said he was sceptical about whether the approach would work given the number of Chinese tourists was “scaring other tourists away”.
He elaborated: “They act like it’s their home. They bring their own van, bring their own food, don’t spend much money – all they leave behind is a mess. I think the government should bring lesser tourists, but more high-quality ones.”
The government has since cracked down on cheap tours that are operated by companies using a nominee structure. Last month, the government suspended the licenses of 23 operators, and revoked six others, after a six-month investigation.
“I’d love the Chinese tourists to come into my shop more often, but so many of them are on these zero-baht tours,” Phuket silk retailer Narumol Thongcharoen said.
“They’re locked into a schedule and never explore. So this plan is a good start, but the government’s not tackling the problem at the root.”
