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.

 

 

24,990 thoughts on “Disaster Preparedness in the Thai Hospitality Industry”

  1. We highly appreciate your site post. You will find dozens of tactics we could put it to very good use while using no effort on time and hard earned cash. Thank you very much pertaining to helping have the post reply many questions we have had before now. فني صيانة ثلاجات

  18. Dave’s Hot Chicken Cauliflower is a delicious vegetarian twist on the brand’s famous spicy chicken. Made with crispy, golden-fried cauliflower florets, this dish is coated in Dave’s signature hot spices, offering the same bold flavors and heat levels that fans love—ranging from No Spice to Reaper. It’s a perfect option for those looking to enjoy the signature Nashville-style heat without meat. Served with pickles and Dave’s signature sauce, the cauliflower version delivers a satisfying crunch and flavor-packed bite every time.

  34. Nice post! This scott pilgrim jacket is such a great find. I’ve been a fan of the movie for years, and this parka looks exactly like the one Michael Cera wore as Scott. The detailing and color are spot-on, and it’s perfect for both cosplay and casual wear. Definitely a must-have for any true fan!

  37. BET88 tự hào là nền tảng giải trí trực tuyến hàng đầu tại Việt Nam, cung cấp nhiều trải nghiệm hấp dẫn và đa dạng như trò chơi thể thao và trò chơi số thú vị. Với sứ mệnh cung cấp giải trí kỹ thuật số chất lượng cao, BET88 cam kết công bằng và liên tục nâng cao trải nghiệm của người dùng với giao diện mượt mà và thân thiện với người dùng. https://bet888.team/

  38. Looking for reliable black car service austin texas? Enjoy luxurious, professional transportation tailored to your needs. Perfect for airport transfers, corporate travel, and special events. Our experienced chauffeurs ensure timely arrivals, clean vehicles, and exceptional service. Book today for a premium black car experience across Austin and surrounding areas.

  39. Upgrade your interiors with stylish and functional grommet curtains Dubai, perfect for modern homes and offices. These curtains feature metal rings for easy sliding and a sleek, contemporary look. Available in a variety of fabrics, colors, and patterns to suit any décor. Ideal for adding privacy, blocking light, and enhancing room aesthetics. Discover the best grommet curtains Dubai has to offer for a refined finish!
    Grommet curtains Dubai

  40. Bet88 là nền tảng giải trí trực tuyến hàng đầu Châu Á, cung cấp trải nghiệm hàng đầu với nhiều trò chơi và tính năng tương tác như thể thao, jackpot, bắn cá và xổ số. bet88

  41. VB88 cung cấp nhiều trò chơi tương tác đa dạng, từ trò chơi theo bàn cổ điển đến trò chơi rút thăm trúng thưởng theo khu vực thú vị, với tỷ lệ thắng cược cao tới 1 ăn 9000. Vb88

  42. Tin68 – Đỉnh cao giải trí trực tuyến! Tham gia Tin68 để trải nghiệm kho game đa dạng, từ thể thao, trò chơi trực tuyến đến game bài hấp dẫn. Tin68

  43. UK88, thành lập năm 2018, là nền tảng giải trí trực tuyến hàng đầu có trụ sở tại Philippines. Nổi bật với các dịch vụ trực tiếp và nhiều trò chơi đa dạng như slot và chọi gà, UK88 được cấp phép bởi PAGCOR và Curaçao eGaming. Uk88

  44. Jalwaa.info is an exciting online gaming platform offering color prediction and lottery games with a smooth user experience. A must-visit for gaming lovers! Jalwa

Leave a Reply

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