Eturbo News Thailand’s Tourism and Sports Minister Dr. Suwit Yodmanee has confirmed the government’s national targets for 2007 of 14.8 million foreign tourists and 82 million Thai tourists, with earnings of 547,500 million baht and 377,800 million baht, respectively.
The development is significant considering the fact that the New Year’s Eve explosions in and around Bangkok are being tipped to adversely affect the numbers of travelers to the country. Following six explosions in the evening of December 31, 2006, in Bangkok, there were two subsequent explosions in downtown Bangkok shortly before midnight.
According to local media, Dr. Suwit announced the targets at a meeting of about 280 government and private sector representatives from the 14 southern provinces.
The domestic tourism plan for the southern region this year is aimed at general tourists, youth and family, working and high-income people, seniors, and corporate travelers, while the foreign tourism marketing plan is aimed at “high quality free individual travelers” (FIT), families, sport groups and honeymoon couples, he said, according to the Phuket Gazette Online.
The report added that the main attractions for the region were outlined as sea, sand, diving, golf, seafood and health services, but the TAT will also promote other attractions, such as culture, sports and entertainment.
“To support the growth of tourism, we must consider upgrading tourism resources according to ‘star rating’ standards, but at the same time use the ‘green leaf’ standard to protect the environment. We will also promote sport to attract tourists; and most importantly, help local people and communities to take part in local tourism,” he added. “I will have to talk to the Transportation Ministry to find a way to help tourism in the South, such as connecting flights between Bangkok, Phuket and Haad Yai, and flights to Phang Nga, Samui and Ranong, with international flights. We will also have to study the capacity of some tourism destinations such as Samui, to determine whether they can support the number of tourists and meet demand for electricity and water.”
The Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA) has reported that most to their guests are continuing with their plans to Thailand. PATA has been monitoring the situation and has found that there have been minimal cancellations reported from hotels, the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) overseas offices and key tour operators. “We encourage people who were planning to travel to the Kingdom to continue with their plans,” said PATA president and chief executive officer Peter de Jong. |