TAT budgets B1.6bn to revive image of Thailand

The Tourism Authority of Thailand ( TAT ) has set a 1.6-billion-baht budget to restore the country's battered tourism industry once the political crisis ends.

The spending plan, of which 600 million baht will be slated to restore domestic tourism and 1 billion baht for foreign markets, will kick off as soon as possible within June, said Tourism and Sports Minister Chumpol Silpa-archa.

"The number of visitors is likely to rebound in the third quar ter should we be able to implement the stimulus plan within the second quarter," he said.
Reports showed that the country's tourism industry has slumped after the grenade attacks at Silom, which killed one woman and left 80 injured.

Foreign arrivals at Suvarnabhumi Airport now average only 21,000 a day, a drop from 30,000. Arrivals on April 23 were down by 41% and visitors slipped by an average of 20% between April 24 and Apr il 26.

Prakit Piriyakiat, TAT's deputy governor for marketing communications,said a joint meeting between TAT and private tourism operators decided the frst priority is to restore confdence among tourists and tour operators.

Advertising should be placed on international TV channels such as CNN, and in leading print media, as well as at sports events such as the Tour de France and Wimbledon, he said.

In the domestic market, TAT plans to partner with the Association of Domestic Travel to offer a 10% discount for tour packages to members of the Office of the Government Pension Fund (GPF) to encourage Thais to travel. About 10% of 1 million GPF members are expected to participate in the programme.

Meanwhile, private operators have called for government help to revive the sector once the political chaos ends. "There should be some measures to improve the image of Thai tourism and fnancial support to help operators and employees suffering from the protests," said Kongkrit Hiranyakit, president of the Tourism Council of Thailand.

The council expects the political conflicts to drag down international tourist arrivals by about 10% in the second quarter, and 20% in the third.
In the frst quarter, the tourism industry clearly improved with a 20% growth in international tourist arrivals. During April 3-9, the fgure dropped by 24.8% year-on-year as result of travel advisories put out by many countries.

The situation deteriorated after the April 10 clashes between the military and red-shirt protesters were broadcast worldwide.

The government has to make a clear statement to help boost tourist confdence through Thai embassies and to organise roadshows and promotions such as the bidding to host World Expo in the next 10 years," said Mr Kongkrit.

BANGKOK POST

Chatrudee Theparat Chadamas Chinmaneevong.