Limit foreign hoteliers under AEC, industry urges

Hotel operators have urged the government to limit newcomers' access to their industry, to soften the impact from the opening-up of the tourism sector under the Asean Economic Community (AEC) in 2015.

Udom Srimahachota, adviser to the Thai Hotels Association (THA), said that if Thailand is to be open for foreign investment, it should be limited to certain areas - particularly those outside Bangkok - and new properties should be five-star only to protect small and medium-sized operators.

"Seventy per cent of hotel operators are small or medium-sized and have limited access to funding. They could be thrown out of business if the sector is open without any restrictions," he said.

Thailand has 350,000 hotel rooms, excluding 200,000 rooms at guest houses and serviced apartments. Most are in major cities such a Bangkok, Phuket, Chiang Mai, Hua Hin and Pattaya.

Meanwhile, the Thailand Professional Tourist Guide Association urged the establishment of a council to protect local tour guides.

Viroj Sitprasertnund, adviser to the association, said talks were underway with the International Trade Negotiation Department on setting up such a body. He said the council would set and control quality standards of tour guides. It would also be responsible for their certification and oversee welfare issues.

"Foreign tour guides would have to be registered and certified by the council. This would help block foreigners' entry," Viroj said.

There are 400,000 registered tour guides in Thailand, excluding some 5,000 illegal guides mostly serving tours from China, South Korea and Russia.

Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva yesterday presided over the "Electronic Standards for the Asean Tourism Industry" event, where he stressed the importance of technology in driving the sector forward. Ahead of the AEC, he also urged the integration of product and service sales with operators in the region.

For years, Thailand's tourism sector has been hit hard by many factors. This month's disaster in Japan and crises in the Middle East and North Africa are expected to shave Thai hotels' revenue by 5 per cent this year, as the average room rate may drop further. Udom expects the Japan disaster alone to affect 1 million room-nights.

Piyamarn Tejabaibun, chairwoman of the Tourism Council of Thailand, said it would soon revise its tourist-arrival target from the original projection of 17.5 million because of the crisis.