Vietnam welcomed nearly 7.7 million international visitors in the first 4 months of the year, an increase of 23% over the same period last year. While Thailand is still struggling with a slow recovery.
Mr. Thanet Supornsahasrungsi, Chairman of the Chon buri Tourism Federation, shared with Bangkok Post that Vietnam may take just 2-3 more years to attract more international visitors than Thailand.
This year, Vietnam aims to welcome 22-23 million international visitors, while the Thai Ministry of Finance has lowered the forecast from 38.5 million to 36.5 million visitors.
Thailand recorded 2.7 million visitors in March, down 20% compared to 2019, while Vietnam recorded more than 2 million visitors in the same month, up more than 30% over the same period in 2019.
Mr. Thanet said that the cost of living in Vietnam is lower than in Thailand. Family-oriented resorts and theme parks in Vietnam are also newer and cheaper than similar products in Thailand, while package packages at Vietnamese hotels are only half the price compared to Thailand.
Vietnam also supports foreign tourism agents, such as Russian tourism businesses, by subsidizing airfares and reducing landing fees at airports, Mr. Thanet said.
This has caused travel businesses to shift tours to cities like Nha Trang in Vietnam, instead of Phuket this summer.
Mr. Thanet said that according to international travel agents, many airports in major cities of Vietnam are designed as international airports, making it easier for them to open new international routes. These airports are only about 30 - 45 minutes by car from tourist areas.
Meanwhile, if visitors want to get to Hua Hin or Kanchanaburi, they have to travel more than 3 hours by car from airports in Bangkok.
We are relying on old advantages without developing infrastructure and new destinations to attract tourists, he said.
Mr. Thanet said that if the Thai government does not pursue a more proactive tourism strategy and improve safety measures, it will be difficult to achieve the target of 36.5 million visitors.
Mr. Sanga Ruangwattanakul, Chairman of the Khao San quite quite Business Association, said that the Thai capital may welcome fewer tourists than last year due to the shrinking Chinese market and foreign tourists moving towards emerging destinations such as Vietnam.
Vietnam has many attractive tourist destinations, from nature, beaches to vibrant nightlife, with walking and night-time entertainment neighborhoods in Ho Chi Minh City that can compete with Khao San Street - he said.
Last week, the Association of Thai Travel Agents (ATTA) submitted a proposal to the General Department of Tourism of Thailand and the government, requesting budget support of 320 million baht (8.64 million USD) to attract the Chinese market.
ATTA estimates that the plan could generate at least 8.3 billion baht ($224.1 million) in revenue, based on an average spending of 55,869 baht (over $11,700) per trip from 150,000 Chinese tourists.
ATTA believes that this program does not pose a risk to the government because it is a joint investment with the private sector, in which the private sector covers 80% of the cost. The Thai government may stipulate that each flight must carry at least 150 Chinese tourists to receive a support of 300,000 baht (more than $9,160).
