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TOURISM
CHADAMAS CHINMANEEVONG
It doesn't matter how much stock markets fall or what the gross domestic product growth rate is this year. Thailand's homestay tourism operators say they will be fine as long as they stick to the sufficiency economy concept.
Not only are they surviving, they are currently enjoying the benefits from high crop prices because they can gain revenue from their main work in agriculture while the homestay business offers a second career. The extra revenue may not be much compared with what their urban counterparts can earn, but it covers necessary expenses such as children's tuition fees.
With the concept of the sufficiency economy in mind _ protecting oneself against risk and consuming only what one really needs _ they can enjoy idyllic lifestyles.
The number of homestay operations is now estimated around 400 nationwide, 80 of which are certified by the Office of Tourism Development. Of the 30 that are considered well established and popular, the office estimated that they generated average revenue of around 20,125 baht per month. The other 50 averaged around 4,166 baht per month, said Thanitta Maneechote, the office's director-general.
Around 80% of homestay visitors are domestic travellers and the rest are foreigners. Most of tourists are students, teachers and tambon administration officials.
The office expects there will be 107 registered homestay businesses by next year.
Ms Thanitta said that some homestays may not meet the standard definition because the operators were making the business their main career and upgrading their properties to fully fledged resorts.
The main criterion for a homestay is that householders must stay in the same house as their guests.
She said the most popular homestays were located near historic sites and and offered agricultural education and activities.
''Today, the problem is that homestay businesses haven't got good promotion and serious support from the government. Languages such as English and Japanese languages and management skill are a big problem,'' she said.
''Personally, I think that local homestays directly help local communities to sustain growth in the long term.''
This year, the office will work with local educational institutions to train operators in English and management in their local communities.
The budget for develop and promote homestays in 2009 will be only 2.8 million baht, down from three million this year.
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