Thai hoteliers have expressed strong opposition to the cabinet’s recent approval of a 280 million baht budget to support tourism packages offered by online travel agents (OTAs), citing concerns that the majority of the funds will benefit foreign platforms rather than local operators.
The cabinet’s decision earlier this month allocated the additional budget to the Tourism and Sports Ministry, with the funds directed to the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT). The budget is intended to facilitate partnerships with nine OTAs, offering promotional packages between August and September.
However, Thienprasit Chaiyapatranun, president of the Thai Hotels Association (THA), voiced concerns that the initiative lacks transparency and may not significantly contribute to the local tourism industry. He noted that the TAT has yet to disclose the subsidy amounts allocated to each OTA or the key performance indicators (KPIs) that will measure the success of the program.
Mr. Thienprasit also questioned the effectiveness of the scheme in drawing more tourists to Thailand, highlighting the uncertainty surrounding its impact on hotel bookings and the overall appeal of Thailand as a travel destination compared to other countries.
The THA president’s remarks reflect broader concerns within the local hospitality industry, which fears that the benefits of the initiative may disproportionately favor international OTAs, leaving local businesses struggling to compete.
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