Happy New Year

This is our last daily bulletin for 2011. We will be back with  daily updates 4 January  with travel news from Thailand and the Mekong Region. Our weekly print editions of TTR Weekly will resume 19 January.It has been an eventful year in tourism, but for all us all in Thailand’s travel industry, including the travel media, 2010 was probably the worst year on record after a very difficult 2009 due mainly to political protests and national discord.

All of my 35 years covering the travel trade scene in Thailand and neighbouring countries did not prepare me for the devastating events that befell this country at the hands of corrupt politicians and people who failed in their duty to look after the best interests of the nation. It was unchartered territory.Whatever the colour of our shirts, the financial losses and damage to the country’s image, during 2009 and 2010, are incalculable. We can only hope that we have turned the corner and a more secure future awaits the travel industry in 2011.

TTR Weekly suffered along with all SMEs in tourism. The losses were also substantial for the big players — hotel chains, leading tour operators and airlines.Everyone in the travel industry in this country clearly understands the challenges we face in 2011. They are immense, but we are up to it if we approach them with honesty and are prepared to work together. Achieving unity in the travel industry in 2011 should be a top priority.

Despite the set backs of 2011, we head into the New Year with optimism. We wish all our friends in the travel industry a Happy New Year, but at the same time we pray Thailand will rediscover the path to stability in 2011 and rise above divisive and corrupt politics to embrace long-term prosperity and peace for all its citizens.Yes, we do view 2011 with optimism and intend to continue reporting objectively on developments in regional tourism, while recognising that Thailand and the Mekong Region’s greatest days lie ahead, just over the horizon. Getting there might be a difficult journey, but get there we will.

Source=ttrweekly