Thailand

Within days of the 26 December 2004 tsunami, "vulture tourism" had flapped its ugly wings. People were dead and missing, a full disaster-relief operation was under way, and tourists were canceling holidays. Yet out of the disaster came a dubious opportunity for hotels in unaffected areas. One poor management communication came from a hotelier in an unaffected resort area on the Gulf of Siam. The hotelier sent an e-mail to members of the Pacific Asia Travel Association, callously informing them not only that his area was unaffected by the tsunami, but also that his hotel was offering special three-day/two-night packages.

The hotelier should have opened with deep condolences to the families and friends of tsunami victims and announced that a percentage of all bookings at his hotel would be donated to tsunami relief until a given date. He could have closed his e-mail with a discreet message saying that anyone wishing to find out more about the hotel and its fundraising efforts could visit its web site. An example of poor management communication, indeed!

Ken Scott

Bangkok, Thailand

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