Hotelier grouping calls for copyright overhaul

The Copyright Act was enacted this year despite much opposition from groups including copyright-owners and involves businesses such as restaurants and hotels.

Enterprises have complained that inefficiency in the act allows large companies to gain higher benefits from agencies such as songwriters and hotels.

After meeting with Deputy Commerce Minister Banyin Tangpakorn, the association's president Prakit Chinamourphong said the government should revise this law to ensure a level playing field for all involved.

"The government should set up a middle organisation to collect copyright fees. Copyright-users are confused about the system as some companies have duplicate agencies to collect the fees, and that creates losses for our businesses," said Prakit.

Meanwhile, the association is expecting slow growth for the hotel business this year, mainly due to political disorder and a slower world economy.

It is expected that the hotel industry will grow only 4 to 5 per cent this year. The number of tourists will increase slightly, from 14.5 million to 15 million. The number of travellers increased only 2 per cent in the first half of the year.

Hotels and tourism businesses rely on political certainty to increase foreign visitors' confidence. The association had expected a bright future this year, but political turmoil has lowered anticipations.

Even worse, rising oil prices, which cause lower purchasing power, have reduced travellers' spending, he explained.

Prakit has also expressed concern about newly established hotels, which have added 15,000 additional rooms to the supply.

He said that the new hotels and resorts would increase the vacancy rate in the industry. The occupancy rate of hotels in Thailand is now 70 per cent.