The government is being urged to speed up the development of infrastructure for luxury cruises in order to attract high-end tourists to Thailand.
Deputy Prime Minister Tanasak Patimapragorn said the latest tourism research jointly conducted by the Tourism and Sports Ministry, Tourism Council of Thailand and Thailand Research Fund (TRF) suggests Thailand should develop facilities to accommodate luxury cruises because they bring in visitors who spend more.
The spending of cruise visitors averages 6,174 baht a day, higher than the average of 4,000 baht a day spent by all foreign visitors. Cruise tourism in Asia has rapidly grown, especially in Asean.
The research showed cruise visitors between 2015 and 2016 preferred visiting Laem Chabang and Koh Samui to Phuket.
The research also suggested that the government for more cooperation from neighbouring countries to create new cruise routes.
The government should also invest more in human resource development in the service sector, with the study finding Thailand still weak on foreign languages and service skill and quality.
Entrepreneurs prefer to hire Filipinos, who are more diligent and have better language skills than Thais, according to the research.
The study also showed entrepreneurs in food and restaurant, lodging, and spa and medical services, along with tour operators agreed that the government should develop a centre of excellence in human resource development for training personnel in the sector.
In terms of provincial tourism management of key destinations, the study found the top 10 most competitive provinces are Bangkok, Phuket, Chon Buri, Chiang Mai, Surat Thani, Krabi, Songkhla, Phangnga, Prachuap Khiri Khan, and Samut Prakan.
The research suggested that the government apply more research to strengthen the tourism industry, which can raise more income from 2.52 trillion baht in 2016.
In a move to promote cruise tourism, a couple of years ago the government approved in principle a development plan aimed at raising revenue from the segment to 3.6 billion baht by 2016-17.
The plan covers the development of three ports and related facilities to accommodate large yachts in Phuket, Phangnga and Koh Samui in Surat Thani, together with the private sector.
The projects are scheduled for completion this year.