Phuket officials have declared a recent tourism junket to China a success, saying they expect at least 1.5 million Chinese tourists to visit the island. According to a Bangkok News report, Thaneth Tantipiriyaki, president of the Phuket Tourist Association, expects the returning Chinese to generate around 30 billion baht in revenue.
The catchily-named “Amazing Phuket Roadshow to China 2023” was a partnership between the PTA, the Phuket Provincial Administration Organisation (OrBorTor), and the Tourism Authority of Thailand. The event took place from April 17 – 21, with the objective of luring Chinese travellers back to the island post-pandemic.
A number of Phuket tourism operators travelled to China with the roadshow, meeting with 250 travel agents from Chongqing, Beijing, and Nanjing, according to the Bangkok Post. The TAT says it’s optimistic the event could attract up to 5 million Chinese visitors to Thailand this year – around half of 2019’s total.
Meanwhile, the report goes on to say that the hotel industry is collaborating with the Thailand Professional Qualification Institute to launch a housekeeping training program, aimed at addressing critical labour shortages in the industry.
Worachanathip Chantanu from the TPQI says the 54 hour syllabus was developed in partnership with Bangkok City Hall’s 10 occupation training schools and industry specialists.
Students will take part in 12 hours of lectures, coupled with 42 hours of on-site learning at 38 hotels in the capital. She adds that registration is open until May 15 and potential students can sign up HERE.
The Thai Hotels Association says the sector is still struggling with chronic labour shortages, with THA president Marisa Sukosol Nunbhakdi saying at least 38 hotels in Bangkok alone are in need of 180 housekeepers. Marisa says the THA is working with the TPQI with a view to hiring graduates of the new training programme.
SOURCE: Bangkok Post
