As a follow-up to a Royal Coast Review article about developments towards the Hua Hin Airport being able to welcome international flights, pressure has mounted for government approval of international flights.
Mr Udorn Olsson, Chairman of the Phoenix Aviation Group Thailand, has now commented about these developments.
As an advisor to the government's Tourism Committee in the House of Representatives, Mr. Olsson says an urgent agenda item for the Committee to consider was proposed after a request was made by the Hua Hin and Cha-Am Tourism Association.
He says the Association sent a request to the Chairman of the Committee to urgently consider expediting the approval of international flights. The request cites the impacts of delaying any further this approval which may conflict with the government's open country policy, impacting airline operators, the hospitality industry and regional tourism in general.
The request refers to Prachuap Khiri Khan Province as a designated pilot area for tourism, and being included in phase 1 of the opening of the country to welcome tourists, mentioning the effects on the tourism industry income from restrictions on the growth of regional tourism industry with any further approval delays.
Additional information to the Tourism Committee describes the huge tourism potential of the region as a destination with many five-star hotels and approximately 30,000 rooms in legally registered hotels.
Other tourism attractions including golf courses, water parks, shopping centres, hospitals, entertainment venues and many other recreational facilities have been described in the region, extending to Cha-Am and Pranburi. The report to the Committee stresses that this is one of the top tourist destinations in the country.
The Committee has been reminded that the Phoenix Group has signed an MOU with Hua Hin Airport including marketing plans for international airlines to fly to Hua Hin Airport. Airlines already expressing their interest include Nok Air, AirAsia, Jetstar, China Express, Greater Bay and GO First, with five airlines making MOUs with the Phoenix Group to fly to Hua Hin Airport.
Coordination with the Tourism Authority of Thailand has taken place for these interested airlines to use the services of the Hua Hin Airport. Without international flights being able to fly there would be a huge loss for the regional tourism industry.
Mr. Pornthep Wisutwatanasak, Member of the House of Representatives for Prachuap Khiri Khan and a special parliamentary committee, has inspected the airport to better understand any issues. It is understood that he will follow up with the Minister of Transport at the next opportunity.
John Laroche, CEO of the Phoenix Group says "Hua Hin has received a bill of good health and support from the special parliamentary committee, which is the last stage for approval for international landings following a series airport upgrades. We look forward to announcements shortly."
Mr. Surasak Phancharoenvorakul, Chairman of the Tourism Committee has been requested to urgently include the issue on the Committee's agenda. The Committee is understood to now have invited further comment from relevant agencies such as the Ministry of Transport, Department of Airports, the Civil Aviation Authority of Thailand and some airlines.
Mrs. Wasana Srikanjana, President of Hua Hin-Cha-Am Tourism Business Association, who presented the matter for consideration says ''We will do our best to develop the tourism potential of Prachuap Khiri Khan Province and Phetchaburi Province for the well-being of all stakeholders involved in our tourism industry."
The previous RCR article may be seen at https://royalcoastreview.com/2022/09/rising-international-arrivals-to-thai-regional-hua-hin-waits/
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