Chinese tourists: You are not alone

BANGKOK  Association of Thai Travel Agents says its members must ensure their Chinese visitors are never alone and that they are escorted throughout their trips by registered Thai tour guides.
Speaking at meeting, Thursday attended by tour operators handling tours from China, ATTA president Charoen Wangananont identified three requirements for members to adopt to improve market quality.
They were: Do not abandon travellers on a tour to third parties; a Thai tour guide must be on the tour bus at all times; and ensure there are no threats or attempts to force tourists to buy products.
“We need to make sure that tour operators take care of every tourists who purchases a tour package… we should not leave them or allow them to be cheated. A Thai tour guide is needed on the tour bus and we must not allow foreigners to take over the role of a guide…Thai tour guides need to be responsible and take care of tourists for all of the trip.”
inside no 3He warned that if companies failed to adopt three simple measures they would lose their membership and be banned from receiving tourists at airports in Thailand.
The association will also closely monitor Chinese tourists in Pattaya and Phuket, he added.
ATTA will also cooperate with the Department of Tourism, Tourism Authority of Thailand and Central Investigation Bureau to monitor tour operators in the Chinese market. The association will create group chat via WeChat and LINE applications to directly communicate with members.
There are 350 members handling Chinese tourists.
The core failure to rein in zero-dollar tours and end kickback tourism that involves Thai companies paying Chinese tour operators to secure long-term business were left unresolved despite comments and discussion.
Tourism Authority of Thailand East Asia executive director, Srisuda Wanapinyosak, said the Chinese market plays a vital role for the country’s tourism industry with it having an 18% market share.
“It is expected that by year-end 7.5 million Chinese will visit the country and generate THB330,000 million in revenue. Next year, the market revenue could grow to THB400,000 million with 8 million visits.”
On average, Chinese tourists spend THB44,800 per person per trip and stay 8.1 days, she said.
“We also aim to tap high-end Chinese tourists who earn USD60,000 a year salaries. Currently, our Chinese visitors are mainly medium to low-income earners at around USD20,000 per year,” she added.
To reach the target, she suggested that Thailand should provide E-visa for Chinese tourists.
“TAT will also focus on new markets particularly the female market such as office workers, young executives, housewives and SMEs entrepreneurs… TAT will expand marketing to the north and northeast of China besides the main urban markets of Shanghai, Guangzhou and Beijing.”
The director added: “However, we have to consider if we are ready for such a big influx …The Chinese government is concerned about safety measures, scams, and a shortage of Chinese speaking tour guides.”

sourced:ttrweekly.com