Abstract:
This study aims to: 1) Examine opinions on the challenges faced by Chinese restaurants in Pattaya during the COVID-19 pandemic; 2) Investigate views on government policies that provided assistance to Chinese restaurant businesses in Pattaya during the pandemic; 3) Assess opinions on the behavior of Chinese tourists under the "New Normal" who choose to dine at various types of Chinese restaurants in Pattaya; and 4) Explore perspectives on the business strategies for Chinese restaurants in Pattaya catering to Chinese tourists post-pandemic. This study employs qualitative research through in-depth interviews, with 24 informants divided into four groups: 1) Chinese restaurant proprietor, 2) Travel agency, 3) Tour guides, and 4) Chinese tourists The study's findings are as follows: 1) During the COVID-19 pandemic, there were issues such as bans on dining in and the restriction preventing Chinese tourists, the main customer base, from traveling abroad. 2) Government policies supporting restaurant businesses during the pandemic included participation in government projects like the "Rao Tiew Duay Gun" campaign or the "Kon La Krueng" campaign, and financial aid for SMEs. 3) The "New Normal" behavior of Chinese tourists primarily involved those traveling with tour companies, as these companies included Chinese restaurants in their itineraries. For "New Normal" restaurant arrangements, it was recommended to provide spaced seating and offer delivery services. Key factors influencing customers' choice of Chinese restaurants were the quality and taste of the food. 4) Strategies for running Chinese restaurants in Pattaya for Chinese tourists post-pandemic include: 4.1) Food: Emphasize clean, fresh, high-quality, and delicious food with a variety of menu options and attractive plating. 4.2) Restaurant venue: Focus on cleanliness, newness, and beauty, including aesthetically pleasing photo spots within the restaurant. The location should be near popular tourist attractions frequented by tour groups. 4.3) Sales channels: Combine delivery services with on-site sales, offering boxed or set meals such as sukiyaki or shabu-shabu sets, and providing a variety of menu options, including Chinese-language menus to cater to customers. Additionally, it was suggested to expand the customer base by targeting tourists from other countries.