Thailand expects 3.4-3.5 million visitors from China this year, which is below its target, the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) said on Friday, despite rolling out a visa-free program to attract Chinese tourists.
06.11.2023 - 13:13 / insider.com
Nicholas Deniz was waiting to enter Disney World in Orlando with his clients last month when a park manager pulled him out of line.
Deniz is a third-party tour guide. He said he was waiting with clients at the time to help them navigate the park.
When Deniz walked away with the manager, he said two Orange County police officers greeted him.
Corinne, one of Deniz's clients who was present at the time, said she "felt horrible" as she watched the scene unfold.
"It felt like he had done something terribly wrong, the way that they pulled him aside and spoke to him," said Corinne, whose last name is known to Insider and has been withheld for privacy concerns.
After speaking with park staff, Deniz said a police officer handed him a trespass notice and told him he was indefinitely banned from all Walt Disney World properties. He said the officer told him the ban could be appealed via a handwritten letter addressed to Disney's security director after one year. Insider has reviewed a copy of the trespass notice.
Those who violate the order could face arrest, according to Orlando law.
"Unauthorized commercial activities are not permitted at Disney World as clearly stated in our property rules," a Disney spokesperson told Insider in a statement. A spokesperson for the Orange County Sheriff's Office told Insider they have deputies assigned to work at the park every day.
Insider spoke with nine third-party business owners and tour guides impacted by a crack-down on their services, five of whom have received the notices themselves. Several say they've been operating for years — one for nearly three decades — and have never before had an issue.
Now, several owners and tour guides say they're facing financial insecurity as their jobs vanish, and they just want a seat at the table with Disney to find a solution.
"None of us are attempting to portray Disney in a negative light, but are just desperate for answers," Alayna Crutchfield, a third-party guide and owner of Elevate Amusement, told Insider.
Ramón Rodriguez has run his business, Theme Park Concierges, for 12 years. He received a trespass notice, which was reviewed by Insider, on October 4.
"We provide a service to Disney itself by bringing clients, high-end clients," Rodriguez said. "My clients aren't eating hamburgers and hot dogs and popcorn. They go to Disney's high-end restaurants. They stay at Disney's luxury hotels."
Murray Krasnoff runs a third-party concierge and tour guide business called Suntastic Service. He told Insider his company has operated since 1996 and never had an issue with Disney security before last month.
Krasnoff said his company specializes in helping visitors who have disabilities navigate the park.
Like many of these businesses,
Thailand expects 3.4-3.5 million visitors from China this year, which is below its target, the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) said on Friday, despite rolling out a visa-free program to attract Chinese tourists.
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