BANGKOK, 23 July 2019: Airbnb welcomes Tourism and Sports Minister Pipat Ratchakitprakan’s commitment to growing tourism and supporting short-term accommodation in Thailand.
Speaking to local media on his first day in office, the new Minister identified short-term accommodation reform and growing tourism in secondary cities as a priority area for the Tourism and Sports Ministry.
“We look forward to working closely with the new government and the Tourism Minister on growing and diversifying Thailand’s tourism industry,” said Airbnb’s Head of Public Policy for Southeast Asia Mich Goh.
“We particularly welcome the Minister’s commitment to prioritising short-term accommodation reform in Thailand. It is a recognition that more travellers from Thailand and abroad are choosing to stay in short-term accommodation such as Airbnb listings, and that the rules need to keep pace.
“Clear and innovative rules for short-term accommodation would create more opportunities for Thai hospitality entrepreneurs and help generate more income for local communities, especially those in secondary provinces. Airbnb stands ready to work with the Government in the coming months on developing clear, innovative rules for short-term accommodation in Thailand.”
Airbnb has already partnered with the Thailand Ministry of Interior’s Department of Local Administration to train local, provincial officials on hospitality, hosting and compliance standards.
According to data released in June this year, Airbnb’s host and guest community generated over THB33.8 billion in estimated direct economic impact in Thailand in 20181.
The data also found that 80% of local
Airbnb hosts said they recommended restaurants and cafes to guests, and on
average Airbnb guests in Thailand said 46% of their spending occurred in the
neighbourhood where they stayed.
