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.

 

 

28,512 thoughts on “Disaster Preparedness in the Thai Hospitality Industry”

  5. really that will saintly having said that, I enjoy versions key in additionally nice images may be facet personss negative take pleasure in getting defrent intellect total poeple, mpo888

  6. NectarPlus Health, the disaster underscores the critical need for accessible and rapid healthcare services in emergencies. Telemedicine platforms like NectarPlus Health play a crucial role in modern disaster response by providing remote consultations, mental health support, and medical guidance to affected individuals
    https://nectarplus.health/

  8. Probability to discover the your web site can be important for you to my estimation, While i get someone to take a look at that will subject theme. mpo888

  11. You possess fit a significant offspring.. Blesss suitable for utilizing.. As i should examine remarkable most current instructions on this web site.. hold positioning.. mpo888

  20. FRESH FULLZ USA UK CANADA GERMNAY ITALY SPAIN
    REAL DL SCAN FRONT BACK WITH SELFIE

    What’s App = +1.. 727.. 788… 6129…
    Tele Gr@m = @ killhacks OR @ leadsupplier
    Skype = @ peeterhacks
    E mail = hacksp007 at g mail dot com

    SSN DOB DL ADDRESS PHONE EMAIL FULLZ
    NIN DOB ADDRESS SORT CODE & ACCOUNT NUBER FULLZ
    SIN DOB ADDRESS MMN PHONE EMAIL
    DL FRONT BACK WITH SELFIE & SSN
    CANADA UK RU FR IT DE DL FRONT BACK

    BUSINESS EIN COMPANY FULLZ
    YOUNG & OLD AGE FULLZ
    HIGH CREDIT SCORES FULLZ PROS
    FULLZ WITH MVR
    TAX RETURN FILLING & KYC STUFF FULLZ
    PAYDAY LEADS & LOAN LEADS
    SWEEPSTAKES & COMBOS
    BULK FULLZ AVAILABLE
    PASSPORT PHOTOS WITH SELFIE
    W-2 FORM WITH DL FRONT BACK

    #usafullz #ssndobdl #ukfullz #ninfullz #canadafullz #sinfullz
    #cccvvshop #dumpscvv #fullzusauk #fullzdlssn #einfullz
    #sellssnfullz #w2formusa #highcspros

    Many other stuff available fresh sp@mmed
    Guaranteed & verified fullz
    Replacement will also be provided for invalid or bad fullz
    Available all day 24/7

  30. Get ready to elevate your street style in Bangkok Join our MMH In Asia Master Class, where fashion experts will guide you in crafting unique outfits, including styling our popular Mint Green Denim Jacket. Discover Bangkok’s latest fashion trends, learn from industry pros, and take your fashion skills to the next level.

  31. If you are going for best contents like myself, just visit this
    web site every day for the reason that it presents
    quality contents, thanks

    Here is my web-site – dewa togel

  32. After study a few of the blog posts for your web site now, and i also genuinely as if your method of blogging. I bookmarked it to my bookmark site list and will also be checking back soon. Pls check out my web page also and tell me what you consider. bandar slot

  33. After study a few of the blog posts for your web site now, and i also genuinely as if your method of blogging. I bookmarked it to my bookmark site list and will also be checking back soon. Pls check out my web page also and tell me what you consider. bandar slot

  34. After study a few of the blog posts for your web site now, and i also genuinely as if your method of blogging. I bookmarked it to my bookmark site list and will also be checking back soon. Pls check out my web page also and tell me what you consider. bandar macau

  35. After study a few of the blog posts for your web site now, and i also genuinely as if your method of blogging. I bookmarked it to my bookmark site list and will also be checking back soon. Pls check out my web page also and tell me what you consider. togel macau

  36. Primary You were given some sort of brilliant blog site. When i resolve be engaged with furthermore consistent a few minutes. when i check out you were given absolutely incredibly sensible is important, when i resolve possibly be generally verifying your site blesss. Prime estates Ai

  37. Tại 68GB.RUN, chúng tôi tự hào có nhiều lựa chọn trò chơi đa dạng được điều chỉnh để phù hợp với sở thích của mọi người chơi. Cho dù bạn thích các trò chơi bài dựa trên chiến lược, hành động nhịp độ nhanh hay các trò chơi sòng bạc cổ điển được yêu thích, thư viện trò chơi phong phú của chúng tôi đều có thứ gì đó dành cho tất cả mọi người. Chúng tôi liên tục cập nhật các dịch vụ của mình để giữ cho trải nghiệm luôn mới mẻ, hấp dẫn và có nhiều cơ hội thắng lớn. 68GAMEBAI

  38. Xin88 là nền tảng giải trí năng động và hiện đại, mang đến trải nghiệm đa dạng với các trò chơi thú vị và tính năng tương tác. Với giao diện trực quan hấp dẫn, hiệu suất liền mạch và các chương trình khuyến mãi hấp dẫn, Xin88 là điểm đến lý tưởng cho những ai thích giải trí trực tuyến chất lượng cao. Xin88

  40. 8KBet – Nền tảng giải trí trực tuyến uy tín, mang đến trải nghiệm cao cấp về thể thao, xổ số và nhiều trò chơi hấp dẫn khác. Nổi bật với giao diện hiện đại, các tùy chọn cạnh tranh và hàng loạt chương trình khuyến mãi độc quyền của 8KBet. Đăng ký 8KBet ngay để tận hưởng giải trí chất lượng hàng đầu! 8kBet

  41. Tại ALO789, sự phấn khích không chỉ dừng lại ở việc chơi. Chúng tôi cung cấp các phần thưởng lớn và khuyến mãi độc quyền nhằm nâng cao trải nghiệm chơi trò chơi của bạn. Mỗi vòng quay, mỗi lần đặt cược và mỗi nước đi đều có thể đưa bạn đến gần hơn với những giải thưởng đáng kinh ngạc. Càng chơi nhiều, cơ hội chiến thắng của bạn càng lớn! Alo 789

  42. ABCVIP là liên minh năng động quy tụ các thương hiệu uy tín với những tên tuổi hàng đầu trong ngành phát triển giải trí và truyền thông. Sứ mệnh của chúng tôi là cung cấp các giải pháp sáng tạo, chất lượng cao, tích hợp liền mạch trên nhiều nền tảng. Bằng cách kết hợp kiến ​​thức chuyên môn về phát triển kỹ thuật số và dịch vụ giải trí, chúng tôi tạo ra những trải nghiệm tiên tiến đặt ra các tiêu chuẩn mới trong ngành. ABCVIP

  43. U888 mang đến trải nghiệm chơi game đa dạng, bao gồm nhiều trò chơi và lựa chọn giải trí thú vị. Với tỷ lệ thắng cao và phần thưởng hấp dẫn, U888 mang đến cho người chơi cơ hội vô tận để tận hưởng và đạt được những chiến thắng lớn mỗi ngày. U888

  50. VM88 mang đến trải nghiệm chơi game đa dạng với nhiều trò chơi thú vị và cơ hội thắng lớn. Với tiềm năng thưởng cao và các giải thưởng có giá trị, VM88 là nền tảng lý tưởng cho những ai thích thử thách và lối chơi thú vị. VM88

Leave a Reply

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