Faced with a long-standing need for agile operations and goal-directed improvement, the Federation of Thai Tourism Associations (FETTA) is set to drive transformative change in Thailand’s tourism landscape. Hilarious follows the latest realignment of seven native tourism associations that have transitioned from the Tourism Council of Thailand (TCT) to turn out to be part of FETTA.
According to Adith Chairattananon, a FETTA representative with vital influence, additionally serving as honorary secretary-general of the Association of Thai Travel Agents (ATTA), there are strategies in place to advertise streamlined operations through a non-hierarchical structure at FETTA. Explaining the blueprint for future operations, Chairattananon disclosed that a core agenda could be laid out, with totally different segments of this agenda entrusted to proficient association leaders.
By means of illustration, the task of ramping up the attraction of Chinese travellers will fall on ATTA, whereas the Thai Hotels Association (THA) shall be responsible for overseeing concerns related to the lodging supply chain. Chairattananon talked about that one of the challenges when FETTA’s member associations had been with TCT was the one-vote-per-association rule, regardless of the dimension of the association. Consequently, small associations with as few as 10-20 operators held as a lot voting energy as bigger associations boasting over a thousand members.
In gentle of FETTA’s leaner construction, encompassing just seven associations in comparison with TCT’s behemoth of over 100, the trail is evident for a more practical workflow along with enhanced inter-member cooperation, Chairattananon advised.
Furthermore, FETTA anticipates staging the Thailand International Tourism Conference earlier than the year is out. The Federation may also submit a tenet of proposals to the newly appointed authorities. Key amongst these proposals is the request for a delay within the proposed enhance in the minimal wage, given the financial strain many Thai resorts are grappling with.
Also on the agenda is a call for reduced rates of interest for tour operators.
Long-term initiatives embrace the establishment of a tourism fund for operators, the granting of tax exemptions for refurbishing hotels and the introduction of visa-free journey preparations for Thai tourists visiting Europe and the United States.
Fetta, a sturdy collective, contains ATTA, THA, the Thai Travel Agents Association, the Thai Tourism Promotion Association, the Professional Tourist Guide Association of Thailand, the Thai Transportation Operators Association and the Association of Domestic Travel.
THA claims practically a thousand resort members nationwide, accounting for around 26% of complete licenced motels in Thailand. Coupled with this is the occupancy capacity of a hundred and sixty,000 rooms throughout the member hotels..