TOURISM MANAGEMENT IN A CRITICAL PERIOD

Mr Suraphon SvetasreniDeputy Governor for Policy and Planning

Tourism Authority of Thailand

JATA World Tourism Congress 2009 18th September 2009

TAT’S ROLE IN RISK MANAGEMENT

TAT’s approach to risk management is systematic

and structured.

TOURISM INTELLIGENCE UNIT AND CRISIS Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT)

Founded in 2007

- Integration information / news- Monitoring news/tourism situation- Formulate strategies/planning Current status- Designed prototype- Set up data base phase1

Founded in 2007

- Integration information / news- Monitoring news/tourism situation- Formulate strategies/planning Current status- Designed prototype- Set up data base phase1

TIC – Early Detection and Early Warning Mechanism

Managing tourism risks begins long before a crisis surfaces.I. Monitoring market situations under normal operating conditions

II. Monitoring undercurrents when the storm is brewing

III. During the crisis

IV. Post-Crisis Confidence Building and Tourism Recovery Efforts

TAT RISK MANAGEMENT IN ACTION

Is Influenza A (H1N1) truly the reason for the sharp decline in International

Visitor Arrivals to Thailand?…

Fact or myth?

TAT marketing intelligence indicates a combination of factors come into play.

Global economic slowdown Political instability leading up to airport

closure and the Songkran protest H1N1

Key Factors Influencing the Decision to Travel

Influenza A (H1N1) was a key factor in 6 out of 21 key source markets (28%)

Political unrest and political instability was a key factor in 17 out of the 21 markets (81%)

POST-CRISIS CONFIDENCE-BUILDING

Measures to Ensure Airport Security & Visitor Safety

The strict enforcement of existing laws The enactment of new legislation

Airport Security Bill Approved The Thai cabinet endorsed in principle the draft law to help maintain security at Suvarnabhumi Airport. The bill will grant authority to Airports of Thailand (AOT) officials to disperse mobs and arrest intruders, and they can impose more fines on wrongdoers.

THAILAND’S TSUNAMI EARLY WARNING SYSTEM & TSUNAMI EVACUATION DRILLS

Thailand’s Tsunami Early Warning System & Tsunami Evacuation Drills

Thailand’s National Disaster Warning Centre in operation since May 31, 2005

Thailand’s Tsunami Evacuation Plan in place since 2006

Tsunami evacuation drills held at least once a year, every year.

August 21, 2009: A full-scale tsunami evacuation drill was conducted simultaneously in Phuket, Phang-nga, Ranong, Krabi, Trang and Satun

Thailand’s Tsunami Early Warning System & Tsunami Evacuation Drills

The Objectives• Assess the readiness of all agencies working in collaboration

to implement existing evacuation plans in the event of a tsunami incident occurring

• Test the operability and efficiency of the evacuation plan in place

• Generate preparedness and enhance confidence among officials concerned and the general public and familiarize all parties with the systematic evacuation procedure

• Ensure the safety of lives and property of the public and tourists in high risk areas

In Phuket, drills were conducted in a total of 19 sites, with a comprehensive test being conducted at Patong Beach.

Tsunami Evacuation Drills Routes, Patong Beach

EVACUATION SITES EVACUATION ROUTES (distance)

Soi Sansabai Cristin Massage OTOP Centre Coconut Intersection Coral Beach Bridge

Bangla Road (600 metres) Soi Patong Tower (400 metres) Ruamjai Road (500 metres) Prachanuklo Road (600 metres) Coral Beach Bridge (300 metres)

THAILAND’S NATIONAL DISASTER EARLY WARNING SYSTEM

Diagram of National Disaster

Early Warning System

in Thailand

THAILAND NATIONAL DISASTER

WARNING CENTRE

National Early

Warning

committee

National Early

Warning

committee

Warning

Studio

Thai Meteorological

Department

Thai Meteorological

Department

Mineral Resource

Department

Mineral Resource

Department

Ministry of Interior

(Dep.ofDisaster prevention

And Mitigaation)

Ministry of Interior

(Dep.ofDisaster prevention

And Mitigaation)

Royal Irrigation

Department

Royal Irrigation

Department

Warning Data from Other

National Agencies

Warning Data from Other

National Agencies

Information from Threatened Populations

Information from Threatened Populations

Data From Other International Agencies such as Pacific Tsunami Warning Center

(PTWC),

Japan Meteorological Agency

Data From Other International Agencies such as Pacific Tsunami Warning Center

(PTWC),

Japan Meteorological Agency

TV Broadcasting

(10 stations)

Radio Broadcasting

-AM 211 Stations

-- FM 312 Stations

-Amateur Radio System

-- Local Radio Station (1000

Stations)

-- Cable Radio Stations

Mobile Telephone System SMS (20 Million sets)

Warning Tower Located in disaster

risk areas

Diagram of Early Warning System at National Disaster Warning Center, Thailand

Government Agencies

• Meteorological Dept

• National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation Dept

• Pollution Control Dept

• Dept of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation

• Electricity Generating Authority of Thailand

• Royal Irrigation Dept

• Naval Hydrographic Dept

• Dept of Mineral Resources

Government Agencies

• Meteorological Dept

• National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation Dept

• Pollution Control Dept

• Dept of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation

• Electricity Generating Authority of Thailand

• Royal Irrigation Dept

• Naval Hydrographic Dept

• Dept of Mineral Resources

Earthquake Detection / Warning Network

•Pacific Tsunami Warning Center, Hawaii

•Japan Meteorological Agency, Hokkaido

•Pacific Disaster Center, Hawaii

Earthquake Detection / Warning Network

•Pacific Tsunami Warning Center, Hawaii

•Japan Meteorological Agency, Hokkaido

•Pacific Disaster Center, Hawaii

Incoming Messages

Hotline

Fax

Internet

Early Warning Messages

•42 televised systems of mass media communication

•64 radio network stations of Public Relation Dept

•216 stations of Thailand Telecommunications Dept

General Public People Radio Amateur Society of Thailand

Rapid Warning Message

• Voice recorder via trunk mobile and repeater system

• Satellite linked Warning Tower System Control

Government Agencies

•Prime Minister

•Cabinet

•Military, Police

•Disaster Prevention and Mitigation Dept

•Governors

•Warning Towers via fire station control of Patong Municipality connected by Leased Line

Output Notification System

Output

STUDIO

Communication Control

Room

Operation Room

12 TV Channels Press RoomPress Room

Plasma 1 – Global Information Plasma 2 – Thailand Plasma 3 – Impact Areas

Plasma

1

2

3

ONS Server

Supervisor / Duty Officer

Expert

Expert

Call Center 30 automatic lines

(Call Center 1860)

Inco

min

g

Me

ss

ag

es

PREVENTIVE MEASURES TO AVOID CONTRACTING INFLUENZA A (H1N1)

Health Tips for Travellers from Thailand’s Ministry of Public Health and the US Centers of Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)

Do not travel while you are sick, except to get local medical care.

Stay home when you are sick to help prevent others from catching your illness.

Avoid being in crowded and poorly ventilated places. Or wear surgical masks.  

Avoid close contact with individuals/patients with influenza-like symptoms.

When you are sick, keep your distance from others to protect them from getting sick too.

Wash your hands often with soap and water. Or use waterless alcohol-based hand gels.

Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth

Avoid sharing glasses, straws, spoons, napkins, handkerchiefs, and towels

Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when you cough or sneeze and put your used tissue

in a wastebasket. Don't have a tissue? – Cough or sneeze into your upper sleeve, not your

hands.  

Practice other good health habits. Get plenty of sleep, be physically active, manage your

stress, drink plenty of fluids, and eat nutritious food.

It is important to follow the advice of local health and government authorities.

• Sources:

Thailand’s Ministry of Public Health and the US Centers of Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)

Influenza A (H1n1) Prevention Measures Undertaken By THAI

Regular deep-clean fumigation with EcoTru 1453 on board flights flown to and from high-risk

countries

36 common touch points are disinfected – especially items in the passenger seat pocket,

aircraft interior, passenger seat, galley, and lavatory on board THAI aircraft. This is in addition

to regular on-ground cleaning upon flight arrival.  

THAI has installed on all its aircraft TRUE HEPA air filters guaranteed by Airbus and Boeing to

keep air as pure as in hospital surgical units. Air filters are changed more often than the

recommended standard. 

For ground services, THAI's staff at the check-in counter and boarding gate are also required

to observe passengers for possible influenza symptoms. If there are doubts as to the

passenger’s condition, staff are allowed to refuse or deny boarding. 

Surgical masks are available for passengers to wear to prevent spread of infection

THAI’s cabin crew observe for passengers with flu-like symptoms and separate contagious

passengers from others. International infectious diseases unit contacted prior to flight landing.

• Source: Thai Airways International Corporate Communications

Influenza A (H1n1) Preventive Measures Undertaken To Prevent The

Spread Of Infection Retailers, cinemas and mass transit operators have stepped up preventive

hygiene measures to assure consumers.

Public areas such as store entrances, elevators and lift buttons, escalators (handrails), and restrooms, are sprayed with germ-killing alcohol.

Shopping carts are also being cleaned as frequently as possible.

Bangkok Sky Train carriages serving the Bangkok Mass Transit System (BTS) are being sprayed every three hours before they leave from the Main Terminals (at Mor Chit and the National Stadium).

The Bangkok Subway train carriages are being cleaned with germ-killing spray in areas frequently touched by passengers such as seats, handrails and banisters on a daily basis. Metro staff and security guards are being educated on virus preventive measures and are being provided with gloves, sanitary masks and antiviral gel for use during sanitization

ASEAN REGIONAL FORUM (ARF) Statement On Cooperative Counter-terrorist Action On Border Security

ASEAN REGIONAL FORUM (ARF) Statement on Cooperative Counter-terrorist

Action on Border Security

Recognizing that:Terrorism constitutes a grave threat to stability, peace and security in the Asia-Pacific and beyond.

It has links with trans-national organized crime, such as money laundering, arms smuggling, people smuggling, and the production of and trafficking in illicit drugs. It is also associated with the illegal movement of nuclear, chemical, biological, and other deadly materials.

Because terrorism has multiple dimensions, manifestations and causes and respects no national boundaries, it is a complex phenomenon that requires a comprehensive approach and unprecedented international cooperation… (more)

 International terrorism = terrorism practiced in a foreign country by

terrorists who are not native to that country

TOURISM MANAGEMENT IN A CRITICAL PERIOD

Mr Suraphon SvetasreniDeputy Governor for Policy and Planning

Tourism Authority of Thailand

Arigato … Thank you … Khop Khun Khrup … Sawasdee khrup.

 A copy of this presentation is available on

www.TATnews.org

JATA World Tourism Congress 2009 18th September 2009