When Disaster Strikes: The Thai Floods of 2011 and Tourism Industry Response and Resilience

The paper investigates the effects of the floods which covered parts of Thailand in 2011. It discusses the responses of the public and private sectors and evaluates levels of resilience, making particular reference to the opinions of a group of stakeholders in the capital of Bangkok. The findings from primary and secondary data indicate that the immediate impacts of the disaster were severe, but recovery was rapid and the industry demonstrated a high degree of resilience. Consequences for organisations depended on their proximity to the flooded areas and the size and nature of the business. Shortcomings were revealed in the official approach to disaster management within a tourism context and the lack of a learning culture was observed among private enterprises. Responses were primarily of an ad hoc character and it is suggested that more proactive planning is undertaken and a comprehensive and inclusive tourism disaster management plan is established.