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Tourism operators have criticised the government for lacking clear policies to address the debt burden and improve the competitiveness of small and medium-sized operators.

Tourism operators have criticised the government for lacking clear policies to address the debt burden and improve the competitiveness of small and medium-sized operators.

Adith Chairattananon, honorary secretary-general of the Association of Thai Travel Agents, said that providing subsidies via the latest phase of the Khon La Khrueng Plus (half-half plus) co-payment scheme would also not be sufficient to sustain growth during the Middle East conflict.

He said people can afford fewer goods, or smaller shopping baskets, with the same amount of money compared with last year, due to the energy crisis, which has driven up logistics, energy and product costs.

This could particularly affect small and medium-sized operators, which make up most businesses in Thailand. Many have become non-performing borrowers and are unable to expand, as they're now being hit by weak demand.

Mr Adith said the government should help ensure operator competitiveness through measures such as maintaining appropriate commodity prices, including petrol and electricity, along with prioritising debt resolution.

Chai Arunanondchai, president of the Tourism Council of Thailand, said today's crisis mainly stems from external, uncontrollable factors, and businesses are willing to adjust their operations to reflect higher energy costs faced by consumers and travellers.

The government must help ease this burden on businesses by ensuring an adequate supply of commodities priced at appropriate and stable levels.

Mr Chai said it should also attract new foreign investment and upgrade operators' knowledge, particularly in emerging sectors such as green and wellness, along with addressing their capital shortages and debt issues.

Regarding tourism policies, Mr Adith said focusing on high-value tourism is a positive initiative, but it must ensure that effective mechanisms are in place to distribute income fairly, generate positive social and environmental impacts, and support fair employment.

He said Thailand must further diversify towards short-haul markets, which are less affected by the Middle East conflict, through new charter flight programmes and roadshows.

It should use this opportunity to resolve recurring issues, such as bottlenecks at airports and weak connectivity between main and second-tier cities.

Mr Chai said Thailand should also maintain a strong presence in Middle Eastern and long-haul markets in order to attract visitors once the conflict eases.

In the meantime, it can position itself as a safe haven for foreign investors and long-stay tourists.

Stricter enforcement against illegal activities remains crucial to prevent foreigners from exploiting the country for improper gain.

He said that within a four-year term, the government should encourage greater investment in man-made attractions to attract high-spending tourists, such as the Disney theme park project pledged by the government.