11 June 2015
Government agencies, state enterprises, and local administrative
organizations have been urged to organize more meetings and seminars in the
provinces, as a way of stimulating local tourism.
The Cabinet, during its meeting on 9 June 2015, approved measures proposed
by the Ministry of Tourism and Sports to stimulate tourism.
As the Government has declared 2015 the "Year of Discover Thainess,” with a
marketing campaign focusing on unique Thai culture, the Ministry deems it
necessary for the public and private sectors, as well as the general public, to
give cooperation in promoting tourism and serving as good hosts.
For instance, in organizing meetings and seminars in the provinces, various
agencies should use services provided by legally registered hotels. In the
North, the International Convention and Exhibition Center Commemorating His
Majesty’s 7th Cycle Birthday Anniversary, located in Chiang Mai province, should
be given priority as the venue for the meetings and seminars.
As for the 2015 Discover Thainess Campaign, it emphasizes the country's
unique cultural treasures and the Thai way of life. The campaign is an attempt
to attract first-time and repeat visitors to explore Thailand’s new
destinations. In the campaign, 12 provinces that tourists should not miss have
been recommended. Recognized as "hidden gems,” the 12 provinces include Lampang,
Phetchabun, Nan, Buri Ram, Loei, Samut Songkhram, Ratchaburi, Trat, Chanthaburi,
Trang, Chumphon, and Nakhon Si Thammarat.
As for tourist arrivals in 2015, Thailand has set a target of 28 million
visitors, generating around US$42 billion, or 1.4 trillion baht, in revenue.
Meanwhile, the Tourism Authority of Thailand reported that three of
Bangkok’s most famous landmarks were voted among the top ten in Asia by
travelers on the popular website TripAdvisor. They are the Reclining Buddha in
Wat Pho, the Grand Palace, and Wat Arun, or the Temple of Dawn. These places
were rated highly in a list of 25 landmark attractions in the site’s prestigious
Traveler’s Choice Awards for 2015.
In total, four Bangkok landmarks were listed among the top twenty. The
Reclining Buddha in Wat Pho, also known as Wat Phra Chetuphon, was fourth on the
list of Asia’s 25 best landmarks, while the Grand Palace took sixth place. The
symbol of Bangkok, Wat Arun, came ninth in the rankings. The Temple of the
Emerald Buddha, or Wat Phra Kaeo, located within the Grand Palace, was listed at
15.
Many TripAdvisor members expressed the view that if tourists had not seen
these important landmarks, they had not really experienced Bangkok, the capital
of Thailand.
