2010 tourist visitors exceeded expectations...

[lomuamart]

Interesting information.
However, I notice that reasons given for the decline in numbers from the named European countries, the USA and Pakistan are economic and internal political/weather problems.
That might well be the case, but it's not too surprising that there's no mention of potential visitors being put off by the internal state of Thailand. And I wonder if some of those missing Europeans and Americans went elsewhere? Maybe to other destinations in SE Asia? If that were the case, then it would tend to show that people were still spending on holidays but had kept clear of here for the reason above or the strong Baht.
Just idle musings.
I'm sure that the UK travel industry would have general figures for where people took/are taking their long haul holidays. It would put a different complexion on matters if, for instance, the number visiting Thailand dropped last year by 10%, but those going to Vietnam, Cambodia, Malaysia, India etc increased by 7% overall. Maybe I'll look for those figures?

[Super Joe]

Interesting information.
However, I notice that reasons given for the decline in numbers from the named European countries, the USA and Pakistan are economic and internal political/weather problems.
That might well be the case, but it's not too surprising that there's no mention of potential visitors being put off by the internal state of Thailand. And I wonder if some of those missing Europeans and Americans went elsewhere? Maybe to other destinations in SE Asia? If that were the case, then it would tend to show that people were still spending on holidays but had kept clear of here for the reason above or the strong Baht.
Just idle musings.
I'm sure that the UK travel industry would have general figures for where people took/are taking their long haul holidays. It would put a different complexion on matters if, for instance, the number visiting Thailand dropped last year by 10%, but those going to Vietnam, Cambodia, Malaysia, India etc increased by 7% overall. Maybe I'll look for those figures?

Yes, I think you're dead right about the main reason US, UK and Nordic/Skandi, among others had bad visitor numbers. When you look at the TAT numbers for each month, Jan-Mar showed steady increases year-on-year, then after the trouble May onwards massively dipped and did not recover really thereafter ... http://www.tourism.go.th/2010/en/statistic/tourism.php

The May data for Europe is hilarious...all the sensible European's running scared...while the Russians are running the opposite way into the fight
Austria -8.2%
Belgium -14.4%
Finland -26.0%
France -4.7%
Ireland -13.8%
Italy -27.6%
Norway -4.7%
Russia 135.7%
Spain -29.0%
Sweden -9.9%
Switzerland -9.4%
UK -18.5%




Lomu, I Don't think there's enough detail on the UK site (unless there's a different one), to really see who went where, but it does show UK visitors going overseas dropping off massively in 2009, which you'd expect because of the recession. While no detail it basically supports your theory (which I'd agree with), as it shows finances affecting things a year earlier than the political thing last year .... http://www.statistics.gov.uk/statbase/P ... ?vlnk=1391

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Thought this was a classic off the UK site...
A total of 58.6 million visits abroad were made, down 10.4 million from the 69.0 million made in 2008
So EVERYONE left the UK that year then

SJ

[PeteC]

IMO, I don't think those arrival numbers bode well for the foreign housing market here. I still believe the vast majority of retirees and second holiday home buyers will be from the EU, UK and the Americas, not India, Pakistan, China, Korea etc. There's a chance China could be a major player in the future, but not for awhile I think. Pete

[caller]

A report in in last weeks Sunday Times travel section reported that Thailand was still the main destination for Brits travelling to the region, they put that down to the competetive flight market and deals linked to flights. They expect that to remain the same this year, although the flight prices have increased.

So doesn't seem they are going elsewhere - they are just not going.

[margaretcarnes]

A report in in last weeks Sunday Times travel section reported that Thailand was still the main destination for Brits travelling to the region, they put that down to the competetive flight market and deals linked to flights. They expect that to remain the same this year, although the flight prices have increased.

So doesn't seem they are going elsewhere - they are just not going.

Yes but I do think there is more UK interest now in Malaysia - maybe also Vietnam/Cambodia/Laos due to both increased advertising here (for Malaysia in particular) and a feeling that Vietnam et al are now more tourist friendly.
I really don't think the political situation in Thailand deters people much, but they've maybe 'done' Thailand and want more variety.
There's also a much greater push in the UK these days towards cruises, while Brits who stay home really do just that.

[Super Joe]

Yes but I do think there is more UK interest now in Malaysia

Jan-Nov 2010 - 505,000 Brits Thailand (-5%), 400,000 Brits Malaysia (+5%). They're a bit rough figures as just glanced and didn't calculate.

I really don't think the political situation in Thailand deters people much, but they've maybe 'done' Thailand and want more variety.

I think the data does show they were put off by the red shirt turmoil, but before seeing the numbers I'd never have believed it too.
But Brits to Thailand 2010: Jan +5%, Feb +16%, Mar +15%, April -5%, May -18%, June -6%, July -11%, Aug -9%, Sept -9%, Oct -11%, Nov -2% & Dec -6%.

I don't mean didn't return Aug onwards because still worried, but maybe already re-schedule somewhere else, ie: maybe during April & May as they were watching it unfold, everyone that was already booked between July - Nov got down to travel agents and changed ticket?.

SJ

[margaretcarnes]

Looks like you're right there SJ - the sharpest drop off being April/May when the s..t really hit the fan - followed by a tailing off due to cancellations perhaps made during April/May. Still doesn't seem to me to be affecting Brits travel plans now though. To be honest last years troubles feel like ancient history now although Thailand is still a place where anything could happen any time, but the seasoned visitors still won't be deterred IMO. The 'package dealers' often have more options to change - especially when FO travel advisories have been issued.
You can't blame them for wanting a peaceful 2 weeks somewhere in the sun when that's all they've had to look forward to for a year. Whereas those of us who book flight only - (and without flight insurance cover!) - will go regardless because we know the places to avoid if necessary. So what the figures really need to show is how many visitors to Thailand are package against flight only maybe.

[Super Joe]

Looks like you're right there SJ - the sharpest drop off being April/May when the s..t really hit the fan - followed by a tailing off due to cancellations perhaps made during April/May.

I was like you Mags and didn't think the red shirt thing was what affected the number of visitors from the UK, until I read their stats, Lomu was the one who picked up on it.

Unfortunately the don't go into as much detail as you mention, the most is numbers for each month, by nationality, checking in accommodation in each town/resort.



SJ