Clear Strategies Needed for Thailand’s Tourism

(01/02/2012)

Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra has stressed the importance of tourism to the Thai economy and declared that clear strategies were needed to set directions for the country’s tourism industry in the future. The Prime Minister called on the public and private sectors to join forces in working out tourism strategies, saying that tourism was now a major income earner for Thailand. She stated that despite the flood crisis in 2011, the number of foreign visitors rose to 19.1 million, accounting for an increase of 20 percent. The tourist arrivals generated 730 billion baht in earnings for the country, and they are likely to continue to increase. The Prime Minister believed that the tourism business would face greater competition in the future. So all sectors involved should give a helping hand in impressing visitors and making Thailand better known, which would lead to more economic value from tourism. Prime Minister Yingluck said that during her recent visit to India, she learned that Thailand was a popular destination among Indian tourists, who enjoyed shopping and organizing wedding ceremonies here. She suggested that tourism business operators pay greater attention to the Indian market by arranging various tour package programs for visitors from India. As Thailand will host the World Economic Forum on East Asia 2012 in Bangkok on May 30 and June 1, the Prime Minister urged people involved to take this opportunity to step up tourism campaigns to attract more tourist arrivals. In the next few years, she said, the ASEAN Economic Community will be formed, focusing on the free flow of goods, services, investment, and skilled labor. As a result, people in the 10 ASEAN countries will travel within the region more conveniently. This will contribute greatly to the tourism business. In order to cope with the situation, Thailand needs to be prepared for the ASEAN market, with a total population of about 600 million. As for the impact on the tourism industry by the recent travel alert on a possible terrorist threat issued by the US Embassy in Bangkok, followed by a travel advisory from several embassies, Prime Minister Yingluck said that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs was now discussing the matter with the US Embassy. But time is needed, and both Thailand and the United States have already reached better understanding about this matter. Several countries have also lifted the warning. The Tourism Authority of Thailand expects 19.5 million international tourist arrivals in 2012, bringing in 766 billion baht. Domestic travel is expected to see 107 million trips, generating 442.2 billion baht. Thailand is revitalizing its tourism industry under the campaign “Miracle Thailand” this year. In response to the campaign, the Prime Minister expressed her support for the move to help boost confidence among tourists.