How Thailand resolves labor shortages in the tourism and service industry
With the world finally recovering from 3 years of ravages from COVID-19, and flights of tourists finally returning to the skies, these should be happy times in Thailand. However, the acute labor shortages in the tourism and service industry have worried even the Land of Smiles.
In this Pacific Prime Thailand article, we’ll look at which sectors of the tourism industry are hardest hit by the pandemic, how the Thai Government is helping the industry meet its challenges, what tourists can expect to see in the coming months, and more.
Many have discovered greener pastures
People who used to work in the tourism sector were among the hardest hit by the lockdowns and travel bans, and many were forced to move on. Even though the opportunities are now back, many former workers are not. For one thing, there are still uncertainties surrounding the pandemic and its ripple effect. The time scale of the pandemic has also meant that many former workers in the tourism sector have completely re-trained themselves and settled down in their new profession.
Many are now happily working as freelancers, farmers, e-commerce entrepreneurs, etc. Compounding this problem is the fact that many positions left vacant cannot simply be filled by new hires – new entrants need to have the relevant skills and very often formal qualifications, and it can take months or even years to train people to work in some industries. It doesn’t help either that Thailand is becoming an aging society with a shrinking workforce.
That’s why if you are looking for a good massage or spa, you’ll need to be more patient these days: they are specialized services that require licensed workers who have completed training programs and accumulated at least 150 hours of work experience. Currently, these workers are in short supply.
How the Thai government is weighing in
Boonchob Suttamanaswong, Thailand’s Permanent Labor Secretary, recently met with Jaruwan Ngamphisutpaisarn, Chairman of the Thai Retailers Association Human Resources Subcommittee, and Marisa Sukosol Nunpukdee, President of the Thai Hotels Association to come up with measures to boost labor supply and upgrade labor skills to meet changing market demands.
The Department of Employment of Boonchob’s ministry has launched the “Thaimeengantum” platform. It allows employers to post vacancies and access its talent pool, and job seekers to search for opportunities. Plus, the Department of Skill Development is offering training for food entrepreneurs, chefs, massage and spa professionals, bartenders, boat technicians, and drivers, among other professions, to help inject new blood into the tourism and service sectors. These courses focus on training for the major tourism regions of the country, including Phuket, Bangkok, Chon Buri, Chiang Mai, and Chiang Rai.
To enable more relevant establishments, both governmental and private, to have access and collaborate, a common approach was adopted when developing the “Thaimeengantum” platform. This has allowed the database to work seamlessly with those of important organizations such as the Ministry of Education, the Ministry of Labor, and other bodies.
There have also been initiatives to connect the new graduate student database to the jobs database, so that individuals and employers can more efficiently communicate with each other. The government has also been urged to strengthen the development of critical skills such as language, marketing, digital technology, and revenue management.
What the future holds for Thailand’s tourism sector
While Thailand is doing everything so that its tourism industry will be back in full swing, a lot depends on how the world manages the endgame of COVID-19. Of particular importance is China – in 2019, Thailand received some 11 million tourists from China alone, representing more than a quarter of the total for that year.
Let’s hope the pandemic will be over for all practical purposes by the end of 2023. Then the Land of Smiles, and for that matter, the whole world will truly be smiling once again.
Contact Pacific Prime Thailand for your insurance needs today!
With its world-famous beaches and tourist attractions, exotic cuisines, and friendly locals, it’s little wonder Thailand is one of the top destinations for travelers from all corners of the world. But to truly enjoy your stay in the Land of Smiles, you need the peace of mind that comes from a good travel insurance or long-stay visa insurance plan. Here, Pacific Prime Thailand is your ideal partner!
With more than 20 years of experience under our belt, Pacific Prime is well-positioned to apply our expertise and experience in all matters related to insurance, to provide unbiased advice and unsurpassed support that only a leading global insurance brokerage can. And because Pacific Prime Thailand works with all the major insurers, you and your family will be presented with the best options that also fit your budget, which you can secure at no extra cost compared to going directly to an insurer!
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Since joining Pacific Prime, Martin has become even more aware of the gap between the true value of insurance products and most people’s appreciation of it, and developed a passion for demystifying and simplifying matters, so that more people get the protection they need at a cost they can easily afford.
In his free time, Martin attends concerts of various genres, and plays the violin with piano accompaniment he pre-recorded himself or played live by his niece.
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