The private sector joins forces to create a strategy to save Phuket tourism
Date 12 Dec 2020 at 14:49
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Phuket – Open talks for the private sector, joining forces to develop a strategy to save Phuket tourism Aiming to add more foreign tourists
On December 12, 2020, the Phuket Tourism Business Association revealed that on December 9, at the Rak Khun Tao Fah meeting room, the head office of Thai Airways International Public Company Limited, there was a meeting to discuss strategies for saving Phuket air travel By the leadership of Mr. Narong Jusseew, Governor of Phuket Together with representatives of the Ministry of Interior, Mr. Chaturon Chaiyakham, Deputy Director-General of the Department of Consular Affairs Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Mr. Siriporn Chiewmut, Deputy Governor of the Tourism Authority of Thailand And Ms. Nanta Siriranasiri, Office Director Tourism Authority of Thailand Phuket Office With the private sector in Phuket by Mr. Phumikit Raktha-ngam, President of Phuket Tourism Business Association, Mr. Kongsak Kuupongsakorn, President of Southern Thai Hotels Association, and Mr. Thanet Tantipiriyakit Vice President, Phuket Tourism Business Association Together with executives from Thai Airways International Public Company Limited and executives from Thai Smile Company Limited attended the meeting.
Mr. Narong Reusasiw, Governor of Phuket Opened the meeting that Phuket province intends to push for a balance of public health measures. And the continuation of the economy At present there are efforts in every way to invite Thai tourists And foreigners who reside in Thailand Traveled to Phuket And working results are satisfactory Estimated the number of domestic tourists entering Phuket in November is approximately 200,000.
With the outbreak of COVID 19 in many countries, the domestic tourist group is the only factor that stabilizes the economy of Phuket. The past found The current air ticket prices are very high. Especially the flights during the long holidays that are too expensive. And is a factor that makes domestic tourists do not travel to Phuket Discussion meeting today Therefore need to find a solution from the problem of high airfare And the private sector has proposed an increase in the number of flights In order to rebalance the marketing mechanism With hope at Thai Airways will be able to start operating domestic flights. Especially during the weekend In order to adjust the market mechanism to be balanced and consistent with the current situation Including hopes that Thai Smile will support more flights in the form of schedule flight
The second issue that is important is Unilateral increase in the number of domestic tourists Still unable to make economic conditions escape the trap Therefore it is necessary to increase foreign tourists from abroad The meeting was discussed today to find a solution for Phuket to have direct flights from abroad. By requesting Thai Airways to consider Phuket destination as an inbound destination for flights returning from overseas Especially from major European cities such as Frankfurt or Copenhagen before traveling to Bangkok. The proposed flight routes are Frankfurt-Phuket-Bangkok and Copenhagen-Phuket-Bangkok etc.
Mr. Siripakorn Chiew-samut Deputy Governor, Tourism Authority of Thailand Has supported the concept of the Governor of Phuket that The Tourism Authority of Thailand has studied the travel needs of foreign tourists from abroad. There is still a real need to travel. Although there is a condition of detention for 14 days and found that the number of travelers Although not quite like the site before the outbreak. But there are good signs And believe that if there can be a flight to travel clearly The number of international travelers will increase in accordance with the qualifying capacity of each flight.
Mr. Jaturon Chaiyakham, Deputy Director-General, Department of Consular Affairs He highlighted the concerns of the Prime Minister who wants more direct flights to Phuket from abroad. In order to salvage the tourism industry in a crisis, the Cabinet has approved the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to approve visas from all countries. Without setting the criteria for the epidemic classification Along with the easing of visa issuance that simplifies and facilitates more entry into Thailand.
The concept of the public and private sectors of Phuket that has proposed Thai Airways to fly directly to Phuket from an overseas origin city is therefore in line with the prime minister’s concern. And this is an opportunity to bring the economy back to Phuket while maintaining good health standards at the same time. At present, there are many airlines that have requested approval to fly into Phuket. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs is collecting information for further approval.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs coordinates with all embassies and consulates to provide foreigners with accurate understanding and information. Including adjusting various conditions To have the possibility of entering a country To support the country’s economy And Phuket Province can continue walking
Mr. Jessada Chantrema Acting Vice President of Sales Thai Airways International Plc said that Thai Airways responded to the government policy and the proposal of Phuket to encourage more domestic travel. And will fly Bangkok – Phuket on Friday, Saturday and Sunday starting from 1 January – 28 February 2021, will provide full service. To meet the needs of Thai passengers who still want to use the services of Thai Airways And will continue to make tourism packages to coordinate with the Phuket Tourism Business Association
As for the international flight routes Thai Airways has begun operating flights between Bangkok With major cities in Europe and Australia By flying 1 flight a week Phuket private sector proposal to let Thai Airways fly from major European cities to Phuket. It’s an interesting proposal And there is a possibility However, depending on the action plan that will have to go to the Thai Airways Committee. And believe that if there is an airline that can fly directly to Phuket, there will be more demand from the country of origin The matter will be brought to a meeting with relevant parties and the results of the discussion will be announced as soon as possible.
Mr. Wiset Sonthichai, Chief Commercial Officer, Thai Smile Company Limited added that Thai Smile is aware of the increasing travel needs of domestic tourists entering Phuket. Therefore, three additional flights per day have been added every day, which will begin operating on December 17, 2020, resulting in eight Thai Smile flights between Bangkok and Phuket. Which should be able to meet the increasing demands of passengers as well
Mr. Phumikit Raktae-ngam, President of Phuket Tourism Business Association Added that Efforts to create direct flights to Thailand from several European cities are If the first destination is Phuket Before traveling to Bangkok It is believed to be in line with the needs of a number of passengers who are already a main target of Phuket tourism, such as the Scandinavian group. And European groups like Germany or Switzerland Over the past four months Even if the traveler’s arrival from abroad But will be characterized by a personal plane Or by personal yacht Which is a limitation in the travel of many travelers
In the past Thai Airways operates direct flights from European cities to Phuket. Before traveling to Bangkok According to statistics, more passengers will land at Phuket airport than connecting flights to Bangkok. If able to use the methods done in the past to do it on the flight Some semi-commercial, believe that there will be more people traveling to Phuket.
Currently, there are more than 3,000 hotels that have passed the ALQ standard in Phuket, but currently has a utilization rate of no more than 20 rooms, adding direct flights from abroad will be a solution to support the Phuket economy can continue. Slowly
As for the issue of domestic flights that are too expensive Thai Smile has decided to add three more flights starting on December 24, which will make Thai Smile’s number of flights to be eight daily. And should make the price mechanism more appropriate The Phuket Tourism Business Association will send the most urgent matter to the Chief Economic Adviser to the Prime Minister (Dr.Tossaporn Sirisamphan) and the Civil Aviation Authority of Thailand. In order to have a meeting to set the fare ceiling as the price standard that all airlines have to take into account when calculating the price.
The meeting group discussed the framework of the tourism salvage strategy, Phuket Province also considered cross-region charter travel. Such as provinces in the Isan region Or north to Phuket By Thai Smile received as a airline coordinating with the provinces As well as planning marketing and sales activities from all parties By the Tourism Authority of Thailand as a coordinator
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