Yuthasak Supasorn

DESPITE recent setbacks, the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) is confident that arrival targets set for this year will be surpassed.

Based on the momentum garnered in the first three quarters of this year, “Thailand will exceed this year’s targets for visitor numbers and looks set to generate over 2.58 trillion baht (US$73.7 billion) from the tourism sector, up 14 per cent over 2015”, stated TAT.

According to TAT governor Yuthasak Supasorn, Thailand’s tourism industry is expected to generate a total of 1.88 trillion baht for the Thai economy in the first nine months of 2016, representing a year-on-year increase of 14 per cent.

Of the total, some 1.25 trillion baht (up 17 per cent) has been raised by over 24 million international arrivals (up 13 per cent) and another 629 billion baht (up 6 per cent) has come from domestic tourism with 111 million trips having been taken by locals (up 4 per cent).

The recent bombings that took place at various tourist spots throughout Thailand is unlikely to throw a wrench in the works as well, opined TAT as well as members of the trade, due to the resilience of the industry and the support garnered from leading tourism stakeholders.

“This positive outlook is based on the strong confidence that both tourists and the world’s most respected organisations; such as the UNWTO and WTTC, have in Thailand as a safe and enjoyable destination,” said Yuthasak.

“This faith in the country is a result of TAT’s tireless efforts in constantly communicating with visitors and industry players in times of calm and crisis and sending the message that tourist safety and security is always our priority.”

Moving towards the last quarter of 2016, TAT expects Thailand to generate 698 billion baht (up 16 per cent year-on-year), comprising 468 billion baht (up 19 per cent) from over 9 million foreign tourists (up 15 per cent) and 230 billion baht (up 9 per cent) from domestic tourism with 42 million trips expected to be taken by locals (up 7 per cent).

Contributing factors to the growth prospects for the October to December period include the fact that Thailand is entering the high season with forward bookings for air travels to Thailand already showing an 8 per cent increase.

There are also new air links that have been established, including those from Russia (Moscow, Vladivostok and Yekaterinburg), the Middle East (Tehran, Dubai and Doha), and Asia (Hong Kong, Mandalay, Luang Prabang and Vientiane).

In addition, from October 1-9, a total of 39 chartered flights with 7,594 seats have confirmed services to Bangkok and Phuket from nine cities in China.

“These figures show that recent events haven’t impacted the confidence people have in Thailand as a safe and welcoming place to visit. As always, the kingdom is seen as the ultimate exotic holiday destination and the travel hub of the region,” affirmed Yuthasak.

“This is why we’ve been chosen to host events such as the UNWTO World Tourism Day on September 27 and the WTTC Global Summit in April 2017. This is proof indeed that when it comes to travel and tourism, Thailand is as influential and as amazing as ever.”

THE success of a test charter flight which allowed pet dogs to travel with their owners in the cabin of an All Nippon Airways (ANA) aircraft has convinced the airline to consider introducing regular pet-friendly services.

ANA arranged the special charter flight from Tokyo’s Narita Airport to Kushiro, in Hokkaido, back in May, at the behest of customers.

The basic package for the flight and a two-night stay in Hokkaido costed Y220,000 (US$2,190) for two adults and a dog. ANA confirmed that tickets sold out in two days. In total, 87 passengers and 44 dogs went on the trip.

“It was very popular from the outset and all the feedback we have had from passengers was very positive,” Maho Ito, a spokeswoman for the airline, told TTG Asia e-Daily.

“We decided to organise the trip because of the number of requests we have received for something like this.”

For the duration of the flight, the dogs were kept in cages that were fastened to window seats, while a vet was also on board.

ANA has not been able to confirm any other airline offering such a service.

“The department that organised the flight is considering trying something similar again, although we have no concrete plans to do so at the moment,” said Ito.

She added that international flights might also be under consideration.

Lombok

THE Malaysian Inbound Tourism Association (MITA) and Association of the Indonesia Tours & Travel Agencies (ASITA) West Nusa Tenggara signed a MoU last week to promote tourism between the two countries.

Both associations are eyeing the lucrative Chinese outbound market and there are plans to develop destination packages for groups, combining Malaysia and Indonesia.

MITA president, Uzaidi Udanis, said: “We hope one day that these packages will be as popular as the three-country package combining Malaysia, Singapore and Thailand.”

There are also plans to launch internship programmes for tourism students from both countries as well as an initiative to develop films showcasing tourism attractions in Malaysia and Indonesia targeted at overseas markets.

Awan Aswinabawa, chairman of A&T Holidays based in Lombok, said his company saw a 200 per cent increment from Malaysian corporates to Lombok in the first half of 2016 compared with the corresponding period in 2015.

This was largely due to improvements in air connectivity and promotions, he said. The destination was also popular with families looking for a beach holiday or for soft adventure.

Hamzah Rahmat

THE Malaysian Association of Tour and Travel Agents (MATTA) is tackling the shortage of frontliners in the tourism industry by introducing an 18-month training programme known as the National Dual Training System.

The course combines classroom learning with practical training and is endorsed by the government’s skills development department.

Hamzah Rahmat, president of MATTA, explained: “Apprentices spend only 20 to 30 per cent of their time in a training centre. For the rest of the programme, they are attached to a travel or tour company for work-based learning under the supervision of specially trained coaches, who are members of MATTA.

“Upon completion of the programme, successful apprentices will be certified competent in inbound and outbound tour operations, reservations and ticket handling, tour transportation handling, sales and marketing as well as tour leading.”

Recruitment begins today, September 2, at MATTA Fair Kuala Lumpur and the first intake of 20 will begin the programme in January. The number of intakes will depend on demand for the programme.

Those who complete the programme can further upgrade their qualification by taking courses that lead to a Malaysian Skills Diploma.

THE Japanese government will be dramatically reducing landing fees for domestic flights serving some of the nation’s more remote airports in order to encourage foreign tourists to explore more of the country.

Landing fees for domestic flights into Japan’s more far-flung destinations will be reduced by a minimum of 10 per cent while some airports will have their fees slashed by as much as 50 per cent.

The initiative has been welcomed by travel companies with operations outside the primary destinations of Tokyo, Kyoto and Osaka.

“Anything that the authorities can do to reduce the costs associated with getting to Japan would be extremely helpful to us and the rest of the tourism industry,” said Paul Christie, CEO of specialist hiking company Walk Japan.

“A lot of the airports that they have built up and down the country are not being used to anywhere near their full capacity and I hope this would encourage more low-cost carriers to expand their operations within Japan,” he said. “For us, an initiative like his cannot come soon enough.”

The transport ministry is also looking into reducing landing fees for international flights into some regional airports.

Landing fees are calculated according to aircraft weight and noise levels, with a Boeing 767, for example, carrying 175 passengers charged around 200,000 yen (US$1,936) to land at an airport operated by the national government.

The ministry expects airlines to pass on the reduced fees to passengers in the form of lower ticket prices.

Details of the proposal are to be discussed before the end of the year and the new tariffs could be introduced for the start of Japan’s new fiscal year on April 1.