BANGKOK, 5 January 2012 (NNT) – The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) has welcomed the news that more and more countries are cancelling travel advisories against Thailand while pointing out that the warning that remains in some countries is at a low level and is only contained in markets with less significance.
TAT Deputy Governor for Asia and South-Pacific Markets Sansern Ngaorangsi stated that the TAT aims to boost the number of tourists from the Asia and South Pacific markets up to 13.5 million this year, which will generate revenue of THB400 billion. It is speculated that tourists from India and Australia will rise to more than one million. Their numbers were previously 900,000 and 800,000, respectively. The number of tourists from China, Japan and South Korea should remain over 1 million as usual. Meanwhile, the TAT will also be focusing on new potential markets such as Vietnam and Indonesia.
TAT has plans to increase the average expense per day of tourists from the Asian market from THB4,500 baht each to THB5,000 to create more income for the country. The main focus will fall on four quality tourist groups, namely golf enthusiasts, honeymooners, medical tourists and ecotourists.
Mr. Sansern stated that this year’s marketing budget for the Asia and South Pacific region is THB400 million. However, complementary budget is expected to be extended by the government to stimulate tourism in order to meet its THB2-trillion goal for the tourism sector in 2015.
Mr. Sansern added that the ongoing Royal Flora 2011 is helping boost tourism as well. So far, the event has welcomed 1.4 million visitors, 80% of whom are Thais. Most foreign tourists attending the Royal Flora 2011 come from Asian countries which have direct flights to Chiang Mai, such as South Korea.
National News Bureau of Thailand
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