There has been a lot of news lately regarding investment across Asia and the state of the skilled workforce in place to help manage that investment. As we have moved into 2020 where we have seen the first part of the year affected by the Coronavirus, let us reflect on how we left 2019 and what can be expected in 2020, once we return to normal.

The Nation Thailand recently reported that Asia is set to continue its upward trajectory as a buoyant industrial hub, with solid investments from abroad, particularly from China, adding to this momentum and being key drivers to market expansion, according to the 20th edition Robert Walters’ Salary Survey 2019.

The annual salary survey offers a comprehensive review of professional salaries and illuminates recruitment trends both globally, internationally and locally. The overall picture is of expansion, with competitive salaries for in-demand skills and greater appreciation of talent by employers along with increased demand for local workers with an international background for expanding markets. The key take-away is that companies need to streamline, and in many sectors such as banking, speed-up the recruitment process, highlighting what they have to offer would-be employees in the 2019-20 skills-driven markets.

Whilst businesses in Southeast Asia are mining local recruits, the Salary Survey 2019 emphasises how companies are increasingly looking for ‘glocal’ employees; locally based staff with international experience as companies expand to other territories. In short, 2019 is expected to be a dynamic year for recruitment regionally, benefiting both businesses and the job market.

Many regional trends are reflected in Thailand, particularly the rise of digital-skill drivers and the demand for internationally experienced local talent, according to Gerrit Bouckaert, Managing Director for Robert Walters Thailand & Vietnam. “An international perspective is being sought from employees in Thailand more than ever, according to the Robert Walters’ Salary Survey 2019, as Thai companies expand regionally and internationally, elevating the need for English-speaking professionals. At the same time, 2019 was the year of digital transformation, fueling the need for digital talent across the board.”

Thailand’s Eastern Seaboard may continue to find professionals with problem-solving and project-management skills in short supply to channel into mid-to-high-level executive roles. It is predicted this will strengthen salary demands for the right candidates as well as pushing employers to streamline the recruitment process. Employee engagement efforts will become more important along with attracting personnel through positive employer branding as companies seek to leverage social media platforms to boost their reputation in the job market. There was also a greater need in 2019 for businesses to highlight in-company opportunities for promotion and movement. As recruitment is fine-tuned, 2019 – 20 could see businesses bring certain roles such as legal positions in-house.

The four main factors determining job satisfaction in 2019 were work-life balance, remuneration, feedback and encouragement from management as well as training and opportunities. The top motivators for switching jobs in 2019 will be the promise of career progression, either a pay rise and/or improved benefits plus a better work-life balance.

Professionals will continue to feel positive by the end of 2019, with 90 per cent feeling confident about job markets in their sectors. Salaries are set to rise for job movers by 15-20 per cent for back-office roles and by 20-30 per cent for front-office positions as well as employees with niche skill sets.

Specialist in the recruitment market such as Sonia Fernandez, Associate Manager at Michael Page adds

“Thailand remains one of the strongest manufacturing bases in the ASEAN region. Driven by Thailand 4.0 and foreign direct investment, there has been a high demand for technical candidates by MNCs who are looking to launch operations locally or replace expatriate hires.

However, there is a limited availability of such candidates, making for a very competitive recruitment market. Currently, there is a shortage of Thais with appropriate communication and leadership skills, and a large proportion of the workforce needs to develop these capacities which are necessary to perform at the top levels of large companies.

To be able to secure the best talent, organisations should conduct a pre-emptive, detailed, market mapping exercise to understand who is available in the market. They will also need to track candidates’ progression and movement, so they are better equipped to understand the availability of candidates when vacancies arise. In addition, they should recruit for industry 4.0. That is, to focus on capability instead of degree and qualification, looking for skills such as learning agility, creativity and adaptability.

The current initiatives put forth by the Ministry of Labour’s Development Skill Department aims to prepare future technical graduates for industry 4.0. This includes establishing partnerships between universities and organisations for internship programs; as well as redesigning or introducing new Degree and Master courses. The desired outcome is a hope that Thailand will be able to curb the candidate shortage within a period of 5 years. I believe that this will impact the recruitment market positively down the road”

Source: The Nation Thailand and Michael Page Recruitment

There are many different types of properties to choose from in Phuket.

Popular places include Patong and Cherng Talay, however no matter where you are looking for your investment property the different styles, views local amenities will all play a part in your decision making. Price maybe the key as to the area of Phuket you wish to lay down roots

Phuket had been a market dictated by noticeable high and low seasons in the past, but a levelling out has taken place in recent years. This is due in part to the island’s booming tourism sector.

According to Phuket Tourism Association Phuket welcomed 14.4m passenger arrivals in 2018 and expecting a rise of 7-8% in 2019, however those numbers will be much lower in 2020 due to the Covid-19 outbreak.

Historically most areas do see an increase in inquiries during the traditional high season (December-February). Some locations may have also recorded a secondary surge in demand between July and September and this can be partially attributed to people making plans for the high season, however again the climate has changed in Phuket at present and until the ravel ban is lifted then interest in property maybe slow.

That being said, 2020 maybe a good time to look at that investment. With the economy in Asia unsettled with the coronavirus, there could be many bargains to be had in property for the next 12 months as sellers want to cash in on their assets.

We took a look at Siam Real Estate to get a feel for the average prices toy can expect to pay for buying a property on Phuket.

Patong

Property type: 1-bedroom condo

Average price: THB4-5 million

Karon

Property type: 1-bedroom condo

Average price: THB5-6 million

Kata

Property type: 1-bedroom condo

Average price: THB4-5 million

Kamala

Property type: 1-bedroom condo

Average price: THB3.6-5 million

Cherng Talay

Property type: 1-bedroom condo

Average price: THB4-5 million

Rawai

Property type: 3-bedroom house/villa

Average price: THB7-12 million

Nai Harn

Property type: 3-bedroom house/villa

Average price: THB9-14 million

Bang Tao

Property type: 3-bedroom house/villa

Average price: THB11-20 million

Laguna

Property type: 4-bedroom house/villa

Average price: THB9.5 -17 million

Layan

Property type: 3-bedroom house/villa

Average price: THB20-40 million

Surin

Property type: 1-bedroom condo

Average price: THB3-6m

Phuket is the ideal place for hosting a trade show or exhibition, where you can bring your industry together under the blue skies and the golden beaches of a remarkable island.

Many of the islands hotels can cater for large scale events for business and whether you are looking to host a new product launch, a celebration dinner, training workshops for your sales teams or even a team building event then there is much to choose from both indoors and out in Phuket.

Many of the 4- and 5-star hotels offer amazing settings for your event, with first class facilities and specialist planning teams that are ready to ensure a successful event.

It is not just hotels that can offer you an inspirational venue for your conference or meeting.

Red Mountain Golf Club is located in Phuket, Thailand and is surely one of Asia’s most exciting new courses. There is space to do special events accompanied by your choice of food.

The Blue Canyon Country Club offer full-service banquet facilities for golf tournaments, product launches, conferences, meetings, dinner and dance parties, weddings, birthdays, barbecues or any special occasion.

Dream Beach Club is one of the few beach clubs with direct access to the sea. Overlooking the azure Andaman Sea, Dream Beach’s rooftop bar, Level One, is the perfect place to host a company get together, strategy and workshops days and finish with watching a stunning Phuket sunset while enjoying cocktails from the full bar.

For something a little different Underwood Art Factory is a place in Phuket where you can hold functions like parties, ceremonies, theatre performances and many important meetings. They offer large event venues for corporate events and meeting planning.

If your looking for something more adventurous and focusing on team building many Phuket hotels and conference venues, teambuilding.co.th specialise in offering tailored team building activities including MasterChef cooking challenge, Drumming Team Building, and our very popular charity team building activities. These include The Bike factory and The Toy Factory where you build bikes and toys for kids’ orphanages.

Water team building activities include fishing activities, Synergy sailing days, kayaking adventures, Beach Olympics, snorkeling, white water rafting activities and more.

Land team building activities include The Amazing Race Phuket, Corporate Survivor challenges, movie making team building, rock climbing, trekking, and ATV adventures.

Companies such as teambuilding.co.th have western and local facilitators and have designed and facilitated over 4000 team building activities across Asia over the past 15 years. They specialise in designing challenges that are suitable for all languages, cultures and any group size.

The Phuket Property Industry is gaining international exposure

Most people’s first exposure to Thailand is that of a tourist and the thought of buying property was probably not even on their minds. But foreign buyers of Phuket properties are not only holidaymakers.

Global exposure through international property shows now regularly feature villa and condo developments in Bangkok and Phuket. This is further promoted by local real estate advisors to ensure that their client’s property reaches an international audience regardless of whether that property is by a new developer or a resale by a private client.

The international property market is certainly becoming more interconnected as more people travel globally and making all corners of the world easier to reach.

According to Properstar, Changes to one of Thailand’s historic demographic constants is accounting for some of the increased demand in Phuket Property.

The influx of foreign buyers in Phuket – both those coming here to live, as well as those purely looking at investing opportunities – are not the only ones contributing to Phuket’s population growth.

For centuries, multiple generations of Thai families lived together in a single home, or a compound of homes. It was accepted that, when children went off to work, they would either continue living in the home, or if they moved, that their parents would move in with them.

Today, however, many younger Thais are “moving out” and buying their own houses or condominiums. This trend is certainly reflected in the population growth in Phuket which, at circa 7.4% per annum, is a higher rate than that seen in most regions of the country.

In addition to that, the growing wealth among the older generation in Thailand means that many have capital to invest in the property market. A number of wealthy Thais have created property portfolios which include villas and condos in Phuket.

The property market in Phuket is benefiting from both of these trends.

The long-term stability of the Phuket Property market makes it a very attractive place to invest.

One of the main reasons for that stability is this: there is virtually zero lending to foreigners buying Phuket property.

The financial crisis that threatened to melt down global markets in 2008 all started with a mortgage crisis. While complicated financial instruments played their role, the root cause was mortgages which the borrowers could no longer afford.

And the willingness to lend money to those “high risk borrowers” in the first place started a bubble in property which popped when interest rates started to rise.

Because foreigners are prevented from borrowing money for property in Thailand, the industry in Phuket is almost entirely a cash business. Without the lending, there is no risk of default. Without the defaults, there is no boom bust scenario to play out in Phuket.

Tourism may be driving the property market in Phuket but shifting demographics and the ongoing infrastructure improvements both point to strong prospects for Phuket property as a long-term investment.

One thing is plain: foreigners are investing in Phuket property, either as homes or as rental properties, and the market remains buoyant.

Source: Properstar

Amidst record low occupancies, the hospitality industry in Asia Pacific still has high hopes for an early recovery of domestic demand and a gradual return of international guests when the coronavirus outbreak ends. In preparation, hotel owners and operators are introducing various initiatives to create a robust system around health and hygiene to bolster confidence levels of hotel guests during and after COVID-19, according global property consultant JLL.

“The hospitality industry is going through a transformational change and the effects of the pandemic are accelerating its evolution,” says Alex Sigeda, Vice President, Strategic Advisory & Asset Management, JLL Hotels & Hospitality Asia Pacific. “At the top of the agenda for many hotel owners and operators is giving travellers the reassurance of guest safety and strict hygiene standards by securing professional certifications and independent accreditations.”

Global hotel groups such as Hyatt, Marriott, Four Seasons and Hilton have announced extensive safety measures – incorporating electrostatic sprayers to sanitise surfaces, partnering with disinfectant companies, and enlisting the help of health care experts to design new guidelines and protocols. Similarly, Bangkok-based hospitality group Onyx, luxury chain Anantara Resorts, and Hong Kong’s Ovolo Group have all recently announced revamped measures.

Design for new normal

Given the Asia Pacific region was first to experience the effects of the coronavirus, there are signs that it will be also among first to re-emerge.

Travel within China has already picked up, with the five-day May Day holiday period seeing 115 million domestic trips. Korea-based Asiana Air and Korean Air recently resumed the frequency of their domestic flights. Vietnam has recently eased its social distancing measures and reopened the country to domestic tourism. Thailand is gradually easing its lockdown restrictions.

These positive signs have increased the urgency for hotel owners and operators to rethink existing operations, such as buffet lines, check-in and check-out processes, and the layouts of lobbies, function rooms and guestrooms. Menu design, seating arrangements and queue management systems are also being reviewed as part of the increased focus on sanitisation and contamination prevention. Meeting packages and events programs are being revised to accommodate safety requirements around meals and social distancing, while additional IT requirements are being considered to allow for increase in remote conferencing.

Hotels in Asia are at the front end of assessing how to cater to travellers emerging from lockdowns with new sets of protocols and expectations. Hong Kong’s Marco Polo Prince Hotel, which is currently undergoing renovations, is enlarging its club lounge by 30% for more space and privacy while the size of its conference and events space will be adjusted for smaller parties.

“Beyond adding more floor space and clever spatial design to prevent congestion and address social distancing, we could potentially see hotels increasing the number of elevators to prevent overcrowding,” says Sigeda. “On reviewing current load management and elevator efficiencies, some hotels could potentially consider activating service lifts for guest usage during peak periods.”

In addition to the increased focus on space utilisation and functionality of hotel’s hardware, Sigeda says, equal consideration is being given to the softer design touches. Furnishing and surface materials used in hotels and restaurants are being reconsidered in favour of those that are antimicrobial and easy to clean and sanitise.

Boon for technology

Various hotels are increasing their investment in technology in order to create a seamless, contactless stay. While mobile check-ins and digital key cards have already been popular across many hotels, the pandemic has increased their relevance.

Korean online travel unicorn Yanolja revealed that demand for its self-service kiosks launched last November more than doubled since COVID-19 broke. CEO Jong Yoon Kim told reporters at a South Korean travel conference the company is working on a solution that allows accommodation providers to allow guests to check in with simply a QR code.

Robots developed by Softbank Robotics debuted in Tokyo hotels used to house mild COVID-19 patients earlier this month. Besides providing services such as delivering key necessities and picking up meals for those quarantined in their rooms, the robots are also programmed to interact and “cheer patients on.”

In addition to robots getting a boost, Sigeda says hotels might look into technologies ranging from smart-disinfectant closets to germs-detecting ultraviolet scans to sanitise guestrooms to contact tracing check-in systems. Facial recognition, artificial intelligence and other similar technologies are also bound to make a more prominent stay in the hospitality space.

“We expect data to become more important in the day-to-day operations, especially in hotel restaurants and facilities popular with events and conferences. Hotels could further adopt available technology in the fields of building and space management to ensure better ventilation, air and water quality, monitor humidity levels, and control the number of people in common areas to prevent densification,” he adds.

While the industry is stalled at the moment, there is no doubt the travellers will return eventually. “And when they do, the guest experience will need to seamlessly address the new normal,” says Sigeda. “More privacy, more security and more safety assurances will become among the basic expectations from the travellers.”

Source: The Phuket News