Swedes love Krabi the most

Ao Nang - Krabi

The latest figures from the Tourism Authority of Thailand show that Sweden, Germany and Britain, in that order, provided the most visitors to Krabi in 2007. Other major markets were Australia, Finland, Denmark, Eastern Europe, Norway, Singapore and France.

The total number of visitors is growing swiftly. In 2005 Krabi hosted just over a million tourists. In 2006 the number of tourists jumped to 1.7 million and in 2007 to 2.1 million. The province’s tourism income almost tripled from about 7.4 billion baht in 2006 to 19.8 billion baht in 2006. In 2007 it soared again, to 24.7 billion.

Now there are plans to woo visitors from “new” markets such as India, New Zealand and the Arab world.

First Krabi Rock-climbing contest a success

Rock climbing in Railay

Krabi is well known among rock climbers for its challenging, vertical limestone cliffs, especially at Railay Beach and in neighbouring Tonsai Bay. This year, to add an extra challenge, the Railay-Tonsai Rock Climbing Club and local authorities got together to stage the first Krabi International Rock Climbing Contest, from April 25 to 27.

The three-day event drew a good number of rock climbing enthusiasms and spectators. Though most were from Thailand, there were also competitors from neighbouring countries and even as far away as Brazil.

The competition was split into two main categories: lead climbing and deep water soloing. Lead climbing involves two climbers taking it in turns to climb or belay. Deep water soloing involves a single climber ascending a difficulty rock face over water, so that if the climber falls, he or she will land in the water, thereby avoiding injury.

The results of the competition were:

Lead Climbing Marathon:

Women: Nantawan Teerarattanaporn and Boontrika Tanyawanit (Thailand);
Men: Pairat Keawgun and Werayut Ngenchum (Thailand);
Corporate: Ilija Ristovski and Ilina Arsova (Macedonia);
Tester: Sumsuding Dorlur and Paosee Dorlur (Thailand).

Deep Water Soloing:

Women: Boontrika Tanyawanit (Thailand);
Men: Jerasak Nasuan (Thailand).

With the success of the first tournament, the organizers have said they plan to make it an annual event.

Krabi aims for yachties and golfers

High-end marina in Phuket

About two years ago, plans were floated for at least three marinas in Krabi. Most of these plans, Phuket.com has learned, have come to nought. The exception is the Krabi Marina, a project of the local Provincial Administration Organization.

The marina is aimed at attracting high-end travelers who tend to stay in one place for longer than, say, package tourists, and who also tend to spend more money than other types of traveler. The marina will be built on and around an 80-rai (13-hectare) site next to Klong Jeelan. The project is expected to cost about 500 million baht and will provide berths or hard-standing for 150 to 200 boats. An environmental impact study is currently underway.

Golf lovers will be happy to hear that the Sofitel Phokeethra Krabi & Spa has just opened a nine-hole golf course within the hotel grounds. Meanwhile, the owners of the Cove Krabi on Haad Yao Beach are busy laying out an 18-hole course, also within hotel grounds. This course is expected to be ready for play later this year.

Up until now there has been only one golf course in Krabi – the 18-hole course at the Pakasai Country Club Krabi, about 40 minutes’ drive from Krabi Town. Hackers wanting to practice their swing can also go to the Krabi Driving Range, 15 minutes from the tourist hotspot of Ao Nang.

A thoughtful approach to tourism

Railay beach east

All of this rapid growth rather worries Amarit Siripornjuthakul, President of the Krabi Tourist Association (KTA), who spoke to Phuket.com about the issues that concern him.

The Krabi tourism industry has for many years suffered from a chronic shortage of professional hotel and tourism staff. To counter this, the KTA is working with various local colleges to upgrade the local workforce.

“Whenever we get requests from these colleges, we send in professionals such as chefs or other senior staff from our member hotels, to teach the students.” The program started only last year and Khun Amarit notes that it will take time before it has an effect.

The KTA also works closely with local communities to head off potential problems related to tourism. “We have discovered many new places that could become tourist attractions. But we want to make sure that we do it right and don’t rush. We want to have proper plans to make sure that new attractions will not be ruined by overexposure, as so many other [tourist] places [in Thailand] have been.”

Koh Lanta's Sea Gypsies

He added that the KTA had learned that each local community has its own voice and its own self-image. He cited Lanta Island as an example. “Lanta is an interesting island with a number of small communities living together in harmony.

“There are the Chao Lay [Sea Gypsies], the Muslim Thais, and the Thais of Chinese descent. Each group has its own culture and customs, so Lanta can be a place tourists visit not only for the beauty of its nature but also to learn about local ways of life.”

With a grin, he added, “Oh yes, and we have a Western community, too, though only in the high season.” He was referring to the long-stay expatriates who come to Lanta to escape the winter weather in Europe.

By Rungtip Hongjakpet Izmen