Japan, China, Singapore and Korea are ranked as the top destinations in Asia in terms of sustainable and resilient development in the Travel and Tourism sector, according to the World Economic Forum. Thailand, often called one of the great destinations of Asia, has dropped from 41st to 47th in ranking since 2019, while Indonesia climbed from 36th to 22nd. According to the Bangkok Post, Thailand "had the lowest score in tourist services and infrastructure at 2.18 of 7, while the overall index of infrastructure and services also secured a low average score of 3.61". https://lnkd.in/gNYh_w_R
In a recent trip to Bali, my Thai companions remarked “better then Phuket, feels newer greener fresher, prices better, people nicer, food better then expected, let’s come back.” I would agree with this, adding that transportation is also better. Grab in Thailand is experiencing worsening service standards, and taxi drivers have always been problematic. The entitlement mentality slowly creeping into the service industry in TH will be a choke point for tourism as well. Same way it has in JP, though it’s relative - jp of today isn’t as crisp and flat out service intensive as it was 25 years ago when I first arrived, but still heads above the #2 which I would say is still TH. With the USA ranking anywhere other than last in tourist friendliness and infra, this ranking has to be some ESG denominated nonsense by people who couldn’t spot TH on a map.
Does this ranking show the extent to which tourist infratructure is already developed? Or how much the industry can be sustained over the long haul. Or is this some ESG rating, where Thailand rates lower because it emits "too much" CO2?
U.S. number 1? I. What areas? I haven't seen it
Legal Adviser (Thailand and SE Asia)/ Author of the books Doyle’s Guide Practical Guide to Thailand Business 5th ed. , SMD’s Practical Guide to Business Law in Asia 3rd ed./ Visiting Professor, Sasin School of Management
7moThanks for sharing but I do not really know how to take this list. I would say service in Thailand in general is still very very good. At least 2 levels better than Indonesia and better than every where else in Asia except for Japan especially I terms of friendliness which Thai’s are uniquely good at. This list has the US as No. 1. What? I can’t get any service person to do anything in the US (I am American). This tells me that this list may not be one where you want to be ranked No. 1.