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.

 

 

13,410 thoughts on “Disaster Preparedness in the Thai Hospitality Industry”

  5. River possess on your web site even though using discover just just a little bit of item submits. Calming technique for not too distant future, I’m book-marking at the moment acquire designs execute arrives aside. electnikkilucas.com

  6. River possess on your web site even though using discover just just a little bit of item submits. Calming technique for not too distant future, I’m book-marking at the moment acquire designs execute arrives aside. PRIMABET78

  7. After study a handful of the blogs on your internet site now, we really like your technique for blogging. I bookmarked it to my bookmark internet site list and are checking back soon. Pls have a look at my web page too and let me know if you agree.
    https://www.royalmylook.com/

  8. After study a handful of the blogs on your internet site now, we really like your technique for blogging. I bookmarked it to my bookmark internet site list and are checking back soon. Pls have a look at my web page too and let me know if you agree.
    dog painting

  11. Google Voice注册 enables users to create a free virtual phone number for calling, texting, and voicemail services. It’s an excellent tool for both personal and business communication, providing features such as call forwarding, voicemail transcription, and seamless integration with other Google services. The registration process is simple—just sign in with your Google account and select your desired phone number. Google Voice注册 is perfect for managing communication across multiple devices, helping to streamline calls and messages on various platforms.

  12. There are incredibly plenty of details this way to take into consideration. Which is a wonderful examine mention. I supply the thoughts above as general inspiration but clearly you’ll find questions like the one you retrieve the spot that the most critical thing is going to be doing work in honest excellent faith. I don?t determine if recommendations have emerged about such things as that, but Most likely that the job is clearly recognized as a reasonable game. Both girls and boys feel the impact of simply a moment’s pleasure, through-out their lives. Indisches Konferenzvisum

  13. After study a few of the websites on the website now, and i genuinely much like your way of blogging. I bookmarked it to my bookmark internet site list and will also be checking back soon. Pls have a look at my internet site as well and let me know what you think. Visto turistico per l’India

  14. Need A Hacker Who Can Recover Stolen Or scam*ed BTC?

    If you need a genuine hacker who can recover stolen or scam*ed Cryptocurrency accessrecoveryconsultant got you covered, they’re secured Hacker from USA who deal with cyber issues of all kind, such as WhatsApp hack, Facebook hack, gmail hack, mobile phone hack, accounts hack, erase criminal records, websites hack, Bitcoin Trade recovery, and other hack relating to cyber issues.
    Contact info: (accessrecoveryconsultant @ Gmail com)

  16. Your articles always showcase a deep understanding of the topics you cover, blending expert insights with real-world applications. Your readers benefit from your comprehensive approach. Minitoto

  19. Your ability to break down complex topics into simple, digestible pieces is truly impressive. It makes understanding much easier for your readers. don’t forget to visit this site Minitoto

  20. Your dedication to providing high-quality, well-researched content really shines through. Each post is both informative and enjoyable. don’t forget to visit this site Minitoto

  21. I love how you tackle complex subjects with such clarity. Your posts are always thorough and packed with useful information. don’t forget to visit this site Minitoto

  22. Your writing is consistently insightful and engaging. You have a knack for making intricate topics both accessible and interesting. don’t forget to visit this site Minitoto

  25. I appreciate how your content not only informs but also engages readers. Your articles are a testament to your expertise and passion for the topic. don’t forget to visit this site situs toto

  26. Your posts are a valuable resource for anyone looking to expand their knowledge. The clarity and depth of your writing are truly commendable. don’t forget to visit this site Minitoto

  27. The way you simplify complex information without losing depth is remarkable. Your blog is a treasure trove of well-presented insights. don’t forget to visit this site Minitoto

  28. Your posts are always filled with well-researched and engaging content. I look forward to each new article you publish. don’t forget to visit this site Minitoto

  29. Startup Guide When i acquired in your weblog even though putting curiosity basically somewhat tiny bit submits. Pleasant way of long-term, I’m going to be book-marking at any time acquire kinds total arrives upwards.

  30. Discover how to maximize your returns with our comprehensive guide on ROI! Whether you’re new to ROI or an experienced investor, our resources will help you understand and improve your returns. Explore detailed articles like ‘ROI in Real Estate’ and learn how to calculate ROI for various projects, including environmental sustainability. For a global perspective, check out how to calculate ROI in Mandarin with roi怎么算

  31. Hey, what a dazzling post I have actually come throughout and also believed me I have actually been browsing out for this similar type of blog post for past a week and also rarely encountered this. Thanks quite and I will seek even more posts from you  앙헬레스

  32. Yes i am totally agreed with this article and i just want say that this article is very I will make sure to be reading your blog more. You made a good point but I can’t help but wonder, what about the other side? !!!!!!Thanks link slot gacor

  33. Nines Consultancy offers expert guidance and tailored solutions to help businesses navigate their most complex challenges. With a focus on strategic planning, operational efficiency, and innovative thinking, Nines Consultancy empowers companies to achieve sustainable growth and success in today’s competitive market. ninesconsultancy

  35. I’d like this content content articles, Help to make valued, I’d choose a lot more data by using this, great deal of thought is particularly appealing., Bless a person created for composing. MEDIA SLOT 78

  41. Wow! This could be one of the most useful blogs we have ever come across on thesubject. Actually excellent info! I’m also an expert in this topic so I can understand your effort. agenplay88.id

  44. Fashion is a dynamic and ever-evolving expression of personal and cultural identity. At its core, fashion is about more than just clothing; it’s a form of communication that reflects who we are, our values, and our aspirations. It encompasses a wide range of elements, http://petitelunesbooks.cowblog.fr/les-liaisons-dangereuses-choderlos-de-laclos-2868439.htmlstyle, trends, fabric, and color, and can vary greatly across different societies and subcultures.

  47. mETH staking offers a unique opportunity to earn passive income by participating in Ethereum’s proof-of-stake consensus mechanism. By staking your mETH tokens, you help secure the network and receive rewards in return. It’s a great way to maximize the value of your digital assets while contributing to the blockchain’s stability and security. mETH staking

  50. This web page is really a walk-via for the entire info you wanted about this and didn’t know who to ask. Glimpse here, and also you’ll undoubtedly uncover it. Talk to an ai

Leave a Reply

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