by

Disaster Preparedness in the Thai Hospitality Industry

On behalf of Anika Malhotra:

Disaster Preparedness in the Thai Hospitality Industry

One of the deadliest natural disasters in recorded history, the 2004 Indian Ocean earthquake and tsunami, resulted in the deaths of over 230,000 people in fourteen countries and provoked worldwide humanitarian efforts which led to the donation of over USD$14B in aid. Of these fourteen countries, Thailand was one of those that were hardest hit with an estimated 8,212 death toll.

The two industries that were greatly impacted by this disaster were the fishing and tourism industries. The destruction of industrial infrastructure in coastal areas within the fishing industry had substantial impacts both on regional and national scales, affecting employment in coastal regions and foreign exchange earnings on a national level.

 

With these direct effects of the tsunami, came indirect effects within the hospitality industry. As investigations into the disaster continued, there was speculation that many of the resort hotels directly hit by the tsunami did not alert guests in a timely fashion and that staff were not well equipped to handle such situations. Moreover, regardless of whether tourist’s travel destinations were affected or not, there was a psychological concern and fear for their safety while traveling in areas of this part of the world. The hospitality industry was then hit with numerous cancellations as a result.

 

Tourist’s concerns and trip cancellations created a negative image of the hospitality industry for their lack of disaster preparedness. As the industry began to fear that this negative impact might be long lasting, many hospitality companies joined forces with humanitarian organizations to develop stronger disaster preparedness, recovery, and risk mitigating skills.

 

Addressing issues of crisis management and providing hospitality employees with the necessary skills involved gives these companies a competitive advantage. The first step in these efforts is focused on pre-crisis communication. The thought here is that communicating more effectively and implementing solutions for these situations will help rebuild trust and credibility from the public’s perspective.

 

Rather than a focus on maximizing profits for shareholders, there has been an increased focus on corporate social responsibility (CSR) within the hospitality industry. Although brand reputation and financial factors still play a major role in the decision making process for tourists and potential employees, they are looking more for companies who contribute to more wide-ranging societal goals. These CSR contributions are often in the form of cash donations, work force initiatives, partnerships with NGO’s, and by providing shelter and evacuation. The top 3 hotel companies in the industry that are most contributing to this reform are Hilton, Marriott, and Accor.

 

The Ministry of Public Health in Thailand, The International Federation of Red Cross and Societies, and other NGO’s, as well as those in the Thai private sector formed partnerships with these hospitality companies to train employees and provide assistance and funding in these efforts to rebuild the economy in Thailand. The Tsunami Victim Relief Center was also founded days after the tsunami to help in mobilization efforts. The Royal Thai Government (RTG) has also been greatly praised for their role in providing support to the affected communities. The United Nations Country Team along with bilateral development agencies worked with the RTG to address issues and challenges in the rebuilding effort.

 

The efforts of these organizations in collaboration with hotel companies and educational efforts proved to help tremendously towards rebuilding the hospitality industry in Thailand. Below can be found the Tourism and Earnings Growth in Thailand chart as of one year after the tsunami (2005):

The above chart proves that not even fully into 2005, in Q2, there was shown a significant positive change in the percentage of tourism earnings in one year from

-6.2 to +4.4 in growth.

 

The monsoon season in Thailand in 2011 was a period in which was demonstrated how far humanitarian aid efforts and disaster preparedness have improved since the tsunami disaster in 2004. As a result of the storms during this time, flooding began to spread throughout the Northern, Northeastern, and Central areas of Thailand. These floods resulted in the deaths of 815 people, with a total of 13.6 million people having been affected by the same. The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) projected a combined loss of USD$825M as a result of reduced international and national tourism, with people having cancelled their trips to the region.

 

Hotels in and around the affected areas in Thailand began to take measures to ensure the safety of their guests, and help with the relief efforts of the surrounding community. The Mandarin Oriental in Bangkok organized a thorough workshop for more than 1,000 of its staff members to drill them in how to manage the flood situation. The Shangri-La Hotel also took precautionary measures during this time by placing sandbags outside of the property in an effort to prevent water from flowing into the property and by storing enough food and medical supplies for their guests and staff to last three days in the case of an emergency situation.

More major hotel companies are doing their part to help with disaster relief in other ways:

 

a)    Marriott International converts points donated by guests into cash for contribution to the IFRC Disaster Relief Emergency Fund.

b)    Hyatt has developed a volunteer outreach program, Hyatt F.O.R.C.E- allowing for employees to provide local and worldwide support on company paid time.

c)     Hilton Honors has implemented a charity titled “Blanket them With Love” to help with the after effects of the 2011 floods in Thailand. “The project will provide 1) immediate relief to victims by giving emergency life packs (includes food and other daily necessities) to evacuees, 2) 700 financially needy families affected by the coming 4 months of cold weather with blankets, so that the most vulnerable targets like young children and elderly will be protected from diseases associated with the cold climate. 3) Help to at least 10 affected homes with repairs after the floods, so that the family go back to safe shelters.”

d)    AirAsiaGo had absorbed the cost of credit card transaction fees on their website for one month from October-November 2011. In addition to this, they worked with local hotels in Bangkok to provide discounts to travelers.

e)    As part of their CSR initiative, Hilton Pattaya donated 100,000 baht to the Rotary Club of Taksin Pattaya to help with relief and rehabilitation projects for the aid of those affected by the floods in Thailand.

In order to help with the rebuilding efforts after the floods, the Thailand Convention and Exhibition Bureau (TCEB) has implemented a communication center that will keep event organizers updated as to the status of their future events, one such event being the annual Royal Flora Expo.

 

It is made evident to us that the efforts made for disaster preparedness by the hospitality industry in Thailand and throughout the world will help in reducing financial and emotional burdens of many of those affected by such natural disasters as the 2004 tsunami and 2011 floods. Whether it is by partnering with NGO’s or companies within the private sector to help provide employees and their families the skills needed to help mitigate the outcome of such disasters, by providing direct financial support, by sending its employees on volunteer efforts within the community or worldwide, or by providing food and shelter to those affected, the hospitality industry in Thailand is helping to rebuild security and lessen the fears of travelers worldwide.

 

 

8,979 thoughts on “Disaster Preparedness in the Thai Hospitality Industry”

  1. Quick to Play Quick to Win
    Avia is at the forefront of interactive entertainment, bringing thrilling gaming experiences right to your fingertips. Our mission is to enrich lives through games that offer excitement, fair play, and engagement.
    We understand the significance of a trustworthy gaming experience. With achievements like 20M+ Downloads Worldwide, 300+ Sparking Employees, 180M+ Monthly Tournaments, and being the No.1 card/board/cas*ino on the Apple store, Avia has proven its commitment to fair, balanced, and transparent gaming. So, Lets Entertain Yourself With Our Casual Games

  2. Solitaire Clash: Play Solitaire Free App and Enjoy Endless Fun
    Welcome to the world of solitaire and enjoy the excitement with Solitaire Clash! This is the best free solitaire app that offers multiplayer card game solitaire tournaments where you can compete against players of similar skill levels and even have the opportunity to win real money.
    Experience the thrill of winning real money by playing an easy solitaire game in this solitaire app. You can enjoy playing the free classic solitaire game in the comfort of your home or on the go, and earn diamonds daily by participating in in-game events.
    Practice a few rounds with this best free solitaire card game before entering tournaments to win cash prizes. Additionally, you can win extra rewards by playing exciting mini-games in this solitaire cash app. So, Lets Entertain Yourself With Free Solitare

  3. Artikel yang dibuat secara signifikan, jika semua blogger menawarkan konten serupa seperti Anda, web akan menjadi tempat yang jauh lebih baik. Slot online

  9. Balaksix adalah situs judi online yang aman dan terpercaya yang menyediakan berbagai jenis permainan slot gacor terbaik. Dengan reputasi yang baik di kalangan para pemain judi online, Balaksix telah menjadi pilihan utama bagi mereka yang mencari pengalaman berjudi yang menyenangkan dan menguntungkan.

  12. Yes, it’s best knowledge for Disaster Preparedness in the Thai Hospitality Industry. Eco-Friendly Childcare: Explore a range of eco-friendly and non-toxic childcare products at Boon Bottles & Nursery Childcare Products Official Website https://boonnursery.com/. Each item is designed with your child’s health and the environment in mind, using sustainable materials to ensure safety and durability.

  18. Top 8 PayPal Games That Pay Real Money in 2024.
    Looking to win real cash prizes while playing online games? Discover the top 8 PayPal games that pay real money this 2024 and maximize your earnings!
    The rise of online gaming has brought about a new wave of opportunities for gamers to earn money while indulging in their favorite pastime. With PayPal becoming a widely accepted mode of payment, it has become easier than ever for gamers to receive payments from gaming platforms. As such, players can now make some extra cash from playing PayPal games that pay real money. PayPal is a popular payment platform that offers a safe and secure way to receive payments online. It has become an ideal choice for gaming platforms to use as a payment method. Players can now earn real money from game apps that pay instantly to PayPal, and enjoy a hassle-free experience thanks to its ease of use. Let’s Make Money Playing Games

  19. Discover the Top 9 Game Apps That Pay Real Money in 2024
    Discover the best 2024 game apps that pay real money. Play, win, and cash out while enjoying thrilling gameplay on your mobile device. game apps that pay real money Are you an avid gamer looking to level up your gaming experience and earn real money while doing what you love? Look no further! We’ll unveil the top 9 game apps that pay real money in 2024.
    These money making games combine the thrill of gaming with the chance to win big, offering a unique and exciting opportunity for gamers worldwide. From skill-based challenges that test your expertise to luck-based contests that rely on chance, our list of best real money game apps cater to a variety of interests and play styles. Whether you’re a puzzle enthusiast, a marble shooter, or a card game expert, a cash game app on our list will captivate you. So, grab your mobile device and get ready to explore the 9 cash app games that provide endless entertainment and put real money in your pocket. Get ready to turn your gaming prowess into cash rewards! This Game Apps that Pay Real Money

  20. Free Games Download: Play, Win, and Cash In
    Are you a fan of multiplayer tournaments or do you prefer 1v1 challenges? At AviaGames, we specialize in developing captivating games with real cash prizes. Join millions of players worldwide who are already benefiting from our games. Engage in online multiplayer games and 1v1 competitions featuring our popular games such as Cash Pool, Solitaire Clash, Bubble Buzz, and other free downloadable games. Challenge players of similar skill levels for a greater chance of winning!
    Download Safely, Cashout Securely, Win Brilliantly Discover the thrill of skill-based downloadable games tailored for you. Download our games conveniently from the Apple App Store, Samsung Galaxy App Store, or the Android app. All game apps are compatible with both smartphones and tablets. Enjoy secure and hassle-free withdrawals through trusted payment methods like PayPal. Join us today and embark on a rewarding journey in the dynamic world of AviaGames! We look forward to welcoming you to our community! Just Play and Download Free Game

  21. Free Games Download: Play, Win, and Cash In
    Are you a fan of multiplayer tournaments or do you prefer 1v1 challenges? At AviaGames, we specialize in developing captivating games with real cash prizes. Join millions of players worldwide who are already benefiting from our games. Engage in online multiplayer games and 1v1 competitions featuring our popular games such as Cash Pool, Solitaire Clash, Bubble Buzz, and other free downloadable games. Challenge players of similar skill levels for a greater chance of winning!
    Download Safely, Cashout Securely, Win Brilliantly Discover the thrill of skill-based downloadable games tailored for you. Download our games conveniently from the Apple App Store, Samsung Galaxy App Store, or the Android app. All game apps are compatible with both smartphones and tablets. Enjoy secure and hassle-free withdrawals through trusted payment methods like PayPal. Join us today and embark on a rewarding journey in the dynamic world of AviaGames! We look forward to welcoming you to our community! Just Play and Games Free Download

  22. Free Games Download: Play, Win, and Cash In
    Are you a fan of multiplayer tournaments or do you prefer 1v1 challenges? At AviaGames, we specialize in developing captivating games with real cash prizes. Join millions of players worldwide who are already benefiting from our games. Engage in online multiplayer games and 1v1 competitions featuring our popular games such as Cash Pool, Solitaire Clash, Bubble Buzz, and other free downloadable games. Challenge players of similar skill levels for a greater chance of winning!
    Download Safely, Cashout Securely, Win Brilliantly Discover the thrill of skill-based downloadable games tailored for you. Download our games conveniently from the Apple App Store, Samsung Galaxy App Store, or the Android app. All game apps are compatible with both smartphones and tablets. Enjoy secure and hassle-free withdrawals through trusted payment methods like PayPal. Join us today and embark on a rewarding journey in the dynamic world of AviaGames! We look forward to welcoming you to our community! Just Play and Download Free Game

  23. Free Games Download: Play, Win, and Cash In
    Are you a fan of multiplayer tournaments or do you prefer 1v1 challenges? At AviaGames, we specialize in developing captivating games with real cash prizes. Join millions of players worldwide who are already benefiting from our games. Engage in online multiplayer games and 1v1 competitions featuring our popular games such as Cash Pool, Solitaire Clash, Bubble Buzz, and other free downloadable games. Challenge players of similar skill levels for a greater chance of winning!
    Download Safely, Cashout Securely, Win Brilliantly Discover the thrill of skill-based downloadable games tailored for you. Download our games conveniently from the Apple App Store, Samsung Galaxy App Store, or the Android app. All game apps are compatible with both smartphones and tablets. Enjoy secure and hassle-free withdrawals through trusted payment methods like PayPal. Join us today and embark on a rewarding journey in the dynamic world of AviaGames! We look forward to welcoming you to our community! Just Play and Games Free Download

  25. Im no expert, but I believe you just made an excellent point. You certainly fully understand what youre speaking about, and I can truly get behind that. annas blog c+

  26. I am happy to find your distinguished way of writing the post. Now you make it easy for me to understand and implement the concept. Thank you for the post. annas blog c+

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *