Thailand Tourism Authority after Japanese business

Many Thais are traveling to Japan after entry visas were scrapped for them this month, while Japanese are coming to Thailand in droves after the Tourism Authority of Thailand launched more aggressive campaigns.

Thailand still gets a surplus. TAT estimates Japanese tourists will increase to 1.5 million next year from 1.47 million this year. It is promoting campaigns heavily to persuade Japanese to see provinces across the country, said Nittaya Aumbhitaya, director of TAT’s Tokyo office.

Most Japanese are quality tourists. Even though the economic outlook there is uncertain, they continue to splurge on vacations both domestically and internationally. They show financial discipline by dividing their income into 12 per cent for tourism and 40 per cent for daily expenses. Thailand is one of their major destinations. Clearly, they feel good with Thailand.

Seniors for long stays, teens and golfers are among the groups with potential for harvesting. For the teen market, TAT will focus on promoting programmes such as student exchanges and volunteering by linking with regional nations under the ASEAN Economic Community (AEC). Hokkaido is also interesting because the island is cold all year around with only two months left for a good climate.

Hundreds of travel agents will be invited to Thailand to take a closer look at various places to assure them of the country’s readiness to receive their customers. Japanese firmly believe that all of Thailand is hot. Such a perception should be changed via seminars and site visits. The highlight of promotions will be the wide variety of tourism opportunities nationwide.

Japanese are sensitive about personal safety and political chaos. Thailand is competing head-on with Malaysia to be a regional long-stay hub. However, Malaysia has gained an upper hand over Thailand by easing regulations for long-stay tourists moving in.

Chiang Mai, Phuket, Samui and Pattaya are in the sights of TAT’s promotion plan. Chiang Mai is well-known as a long-stay oasis among Japanese. A small Japanese community is emerging in the area. TAT is promoting Chiang Mai heavily this year, together with other upper northern provinces such as Chiang Rai and Mae Hong Son.

Sarawut Saetiao, president of the Chiang Mai Tourism Business Association, welcomes TAT’s move, saying his province has more facilities to serve those Japanese who are looking for a second life and like playing golf. Chiang Mai is attempting to promote the city as a long-stay hub in the region after the opening of the AEC in 2015.

About 2,000-3,000 Japanese have already settled down in Chiang Mai. Koreans and Europeans are joining them. This area is suitable for long stays because it is safe and has facilities ready to serve the elderly, especially internationally-accredited hospitals.

Low living costs, beautiful and natural scenery, friendly culture and smiling locals are also among the many attractions. Pictures of Japanese shopping in local fresh markets are common here.

Arrivals are on the rise too. Japanese airlines are in talks to launch direct flights to Chiang Mai, adding to direct flights from Myanmar, Laos, Singapore, Malaysia, Taiwan, Macau and China.

However, barriers exist. The government should relax visa regulations and make it more convenient to deal with the paperwork for long stays. The smog problem that crops up during the summer also needs to be solved.