Thailand still needs thousands more tourism workers

Thailand still needs thousands more tourism workers than it already has. The kingdom’s Labour Ministry recently surveyed the labour demands of 32,359 tourism operators in 60 provinces.

The ministry found that out of all the operators, 1,817 businesses needed a total of 9,763 more workers. Employers need receptionists, porters, waiters, cleaners and housemaids, chefs, kitchen workers, cashiers, and accountants.

The top five provinces in demand for tourism workers are: Phuket (3,648 workers in demand), Chiang Mai (858), Chon Buri (594), Phang Nga (410), and Surat Thani (349).

President of the Thai Hotels Association said that Bangkok had enough workers during Christmas and the new year festivities. But Thailand’s key tourism hubs such as Phuket, and Pattaya are still lacking, she said. Workers especially needed in these areas are housemaids, bartenders, and food and beverage personnel.

The president, Marisa Nunbhakdi, said international tourists are expected to arrive in big numbers now. She said it was necessary to find more workers and upskill them, Bangkok Post reported.

Various government departments are working to fix the problem. The Department of Skill Development now plans to launch a programme to upskill tourism and hospitality students in the last year of their undergraduate degrees. The department will work with businesses in the sector to help students get employed once they graduate.

Meanwhile, the president of the Association of Thai Travel Agents proposed that Thailand relax its laws to allow foreigners to work as tour guides, to help fill the shortages and promote tourism.

Last month, it was reported that Phuket hotels were rallying the government to market hospitality jobs in Phuket to attract foreign workers. They said Thai people just didn’t want maintenance, kitchen, and food and beverage jobs.

The THA’s southern chapter suggested the Thai government should sign a memorandum of understanding with countries like Indonesia and the Philippines to draw workers.

Will Thailand be able to meet its need for more tourism workers?