Pattaya —
The Pattaya Business and Tourism Association (PBTA) called for the new government to focus on speeding up the remaining construction of the U-Tapao International Airport to facilitate foreign and domestic travelers.
PBTA president Mr. Boonanan Pattanasin gave an interview with local media stating that he wanted the new government to expedite the full commercial operation of U-Tapao-Pattaya International Airport, to ensure that it operates at its full capacity to meet the growing transportation demands of international and domestic tourists, travelling in and around Rayong and Chanthaburi provinces, as well as Pattaya.
In terms of labor policies, Mr. Boonanan said that the new government should focus on finding ways to replenish the tourism-related workforce in tourist provinces around the country. This was to solve the ongoing shortage of workers caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.
Since the easing of the worldwide outbreak, a large number of tourism-related workers have not yet returned to work after going back to their hometowns. This has resulted in a labor shortage, particularly experienced workers, Mr. Boonanan stated.
To aid businesses that are suffering from the above issue, the PBTA president requested that the new government establish a compensation fund to specifically support tourism laborers in cases of future outbreaks.
Mr. Boonanan also stated that the new set of the Members of the House of Representatives (MPs) should regularly visit areas in trouble to directly receive complaints. They should also help the central government to quickly rectify false news that is harmful to tourism, he added.
The PBTA president referred to fake organ theft news that circulated among Chinese tourists traveling to Thailand back in March 2023.
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