TAT Aims to Double Tourist Numbers
In the past week, the Tourism Authority of Thailand has revealed their new marketing campaign. Named “The Miracle Years of Amazing Thailand”, its aim is to double income and tourists by the year 2014.
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The TAT has earmarked THB 500 million (USD 16.5 million), which is to be spent on marketing activities and communications both at home and abroad during the two-year campaign. There is a budget of THB 210 million (USD 7 million) to be used on an awareness campaign, with the emphasis being on foreign markets. There will be THB 180 million (USD 6 million) spent on activities, THB 50 million (USD 1.7 million) for international marketing and domestic marketing has been given a budget of THB 60 million (USD 2 million). The deputy governor of marketing, Prakit Phiriyakiat said that over the next 15 months there are at least seven major events planned that are sure to attract tourists from abroad. Among the events listed are the football Premier League in the UK, the Snow Festival in Sao Paolo, Thailand Golf Open, Australian Open and Formula 1 motor racing. Thailand will be extending invitations to international celebrities to visit the country, including major stars from China and also Thai TV celebrities. The traditional festivals such as Loy Krathong will still continue to be promoted as world events, the TAT confirmed. They also said that there were 180 activities planned for the remainder of this year and next year aimed at boosting domestic tourism. Prakit added that the goal of the TAT by putting on so many events is to encourage local people to visit different regions in the country.
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The Tourism Council of Thailand will be working with the TAT and local communities to create activities that will attract tourists from across the world. It is projected by the TAT that the number of arrivals will reach more than 19 million next year, which is more than the forecast of 17 million visitors for this year. The Thai government, headed by Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra, has promised that The Miracle Years of Amazing Thailand campaign will be used to double the number of arrivals and significantly increase income for the country. By 2014, the government aims to see 30 million tourists and the domestic and international tourism revenues reaching THB 2 trillion (USD 65 billion) per year. The Tourism Ministry has said that certain countries will continue to be exempt from visa fees to encourage visitors. There will also be tax deduction incentives to encourage domestic travel. The government is looking at a request from the ministry for a special budget to develop more attractions and upgrade the entire tourism industry. The governor of TAT, Suraphon Svetsreni stated that despite the number of tourists arriving at Suvarnabhumi International airport increasing by 30 per cent in the month of August this year, the tourism sector is still in need of extra funding. He added that following the general election, tourists are already seen coming back to the country, which is a healthy sign for the upcoming high season. |
