Paper Title
Hotel Industry in Ranong Province and their Readiness for Elderly Tourist
Abstract
According to United Nations (2012), the number of persons aged 60 years or above will rise up from 810 million in 2012 to nearly 2 billion by the year 2050, These impacts will definitely influence the tourism industry refers from the growing amount. Therefore, tourism marketers need to adapt their strategies according to the specific needs and demands from this heterogeneous group [1].
International Institute for Trade and Development stated that Asia will have the most elderly population in the future and trend to expand the elderly marketing in many countries in Associations of South East Asian Nation. For Thailand, Thai elderly foreigner tourists trend to increase as usual in Thailand. It forecast that in year 2020 will up to seven millions and 31 percentages are from Japan. The increase of elderly tourist is the opportunities for Thailand with sit on AEC.
However, International Institute for Trade and Development indicated that if considered in Hospitality in Thailand, it notice that most of hospitality sector manage their organize to service general tourist group not elderly group [2].
Ranong province is located on the west coast along the Andaman Sea, South part of Thailand, 568 kilometre from Bangkok. The neighboring of Ranong are (clockwise) Chumphon and Myanmar on the North, SuratThani and PhangNga on the South. East connected to Chumphon and the west, it borders to Myanmar and Andaman Sea [5]. It is consists of diversify natural tourist attractions and plentiful mangrove forests [3].
Sawasdee.com is a web site which promotes tourism stated that “Ranong Province, one of the wettest in Thailand has a number of other distinctive characteristics: The province features sixty-two islands, many fine beaches, unspoiled forests, and refreshing waterfalls, many of which are incorporated in national parks or wildlife sanctuaries [4].
Moreover, according from Vision and Mission of Ranong province to be a hub of transport goods between countries Andaman coast countries and preservation of city of Health Tourism and be livable environment [5]
As mention above, it can conclude that Ranong seem to have enough potential to be an interesting destination.
Nevertheless, even though Ranong have potential in tourism resources however, it noticed that hospitality section in Ranongis readiness for elderly groups or not.
Therefore, researcher then would like to study on the readiness in hospitality sectors both private and government sectors in Ranong province towardelderly tourist group requirement on hotel and facilities.
To accomplish the goals and objectives, qualitative research was applied. The study also used both primary data and secondary data.
Research result founded that both private and government sectors not much readiness to bear these elderly tourist groups.
Keywords - Ranong Province, Health Tourism, Elderly Tourist, Hot Spring.