Backpackers in Thailand - Essay Example

Backpackers in Thailand Principal and emerging markets in Thailand: Backpacker tourism in Thailand is considered to play a significant role in Thai economy. With its thriving international base, Thailand is now a major player in the international tourism industry. Although recent global crisis in 2008 along with Thailand’s political turmoil are some of the notable factors affecting its tourism industry, reports stated by the Tourism Authority of Thailand (Thailand Tourism Overview for 2009, 2010) have been evidently showing that the industry is recovering fast by mid-2009.

This further reveals that the sharp decline in the number of its inbound tourists (16% in the first half of 2009) is now limited to a decline of 5% in August 2009, which then shifted to a dramatic change of 10% increase in September and October 2009. Statistical calculations show that Thai tourism industry is expected to develop more favorable backpacker trends in 2010 by promoting budget youth travel. This further involves a brief observation on the principal and emerging markets in Thai backpacking tourism.

For instance, beach tourism is Thailand is getting extremely popular among young backpackers from across the world. Keeping in focus the growing leisure market in Thailand, the government is expected to invest substantially on the beach vacation options while promoting a wide variety of beach activities and events for backpackers. Observing the backpackers arrivals to Thailand by nationalities, it is remarkable that the topmost backpackers are from the Asian countries while beach visitors from the UK, the US and other European countries are also increasing in number in the last 7 years (Berger, 2007).

Some of the relevant statistical reports on backpackers to Thailand below will provide a clear picture (source: Tourism Authority of Thailand).CountryNumberPercentageJapan1.2 million11.40China790,0007.34Korea704,0006.48United Kingdom704,0006.48United States555,0005.11Germany411,0003.78Australia351,0003.23Table 1: Nationalities visiting Thailand in 2007.Number of backpackers14.46 millionAverage expenditure4,120.95 bahtRevenue547,782 million baht(13.57% growth than last year)Table 2: International backpackers statistics, 2007.

In 2008, revenue increased to 604,968.37 million baht, which is an increase of 14.60% than 2007.Estimated number of foreign patients632,000Countries of origin of foreign backpackersSouth and Southeast Asia, Europe and the USTreatments sought by foreign backpackersCardiac surgery, post-op care, cosmetic surgery, dentistry, etc.Table 3: Medical tourism in Thailand, 2002-03. In assistance of the beach tourism, new opportunities are evident in the health market emerging in Thailand. There are promotional efforts being carried out to provide improved quality services in the spa tourism of Thailand.

The flourishing Thai spa industry plays an important role in the Thai economy. This is further associated closely with the medical tourism in Thailand - a relatively new market in the country. As Cohen (2008) explains the close bonding between the medical and spa industries of Thailand, “The hospitals seek to increase their share in the phenomenal growth of spa and wellness services, either by linkages to existing spas, or by establishing their own wellness centers.” (p. 254) Another significant market accompanying backpacker tourism is the promotion and growth of cultural tourism, which is a blend of modernity and tradition.

Promotional campaigns by Thai tourism authority are focusing on significant Thai festivals that showcase the cultural ethos of the country. This is expected to increase the number of backpackers from across the world while improving domestic tourism in the country. The introduction of low-cost flights between various cities across Thailand is a welcoming step to mobilize domestic tourism. To summarize, there are three significant markets emerging in the backpacker tourism industry of Thailand.

These markets are:- Beach tourism: mostly young backpackers- Medical tourism: middle-aged and old backpackers- Cultural tourism: both young and old backpackersManagement issues: Tourism situation in Thailand is now recovering from its political crises accompanied by global economic crisis in 2008. From the last quarter of 2009, backpacking trends in the country are going through effective changes. With dramatic increase in the number of backpackers for beach holidayers, the tourism authority of Thailand is considering the introduction of more low-cost flights on existing as well as new routes.

Besides, Thai government’s economic measures are also significant in promoting backpacker tourism, for instance, exemption of visa fees. Thai tourism has successfully implemented value-for-money visit promotional campaign that helped a considerable turnover in backpackers since the year-end of 2009. Considering the backpacking trends of the country, Thai tourism focuses on a number of short term as well as long term strategies. Among the short term strategies, visa issues are most relevant.

The government’s new policy of visa fee exemption along with value-for-money travel is definitely going to be effective in increasing backpacker tourists. Focus is also on exploring new travel segments including its emerging health market, online marketing channels and non-seasonal leisure tourism market. Focus on new communication technologies as well as improvised international education system (both are included in long term strategies) will further boost the backpackers. Moreover, cultural festivals and extended holidays are the new trends to fetch growth in backpacking tourism.

References:1. Berger, A. A. (2007). Thailand Tourism. Binghamton: Haworth Press.2. Cochrane, J. (ed.). (2008). Asian Tourism: Growth and Change. Oxford: Elsevier.3. Cohen, E. (2008). Explorations in Thai Tourism. Bingley, UK: Emerald Group Publishing.4. Hall, C. M. and Page, S. (2000). Tourism in South and Southeast Asia: Issues and Cases. Oxford: Butterworth-Heinemann.5. Hopkins, J. (2005). Thailand Confidential. Singapore: Periplus Editions Limited.6. ‘Thailand Tourism Overview for 2009’. (2010). News Room, Tourism Authority of Thailand.

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