Travel news - general travel issues in Thailand

'Grand Invitation' from TAT - 2006 theme based on royal occasion

Still struggling to attract the targeted 13.38 million international tourists to the country this year, the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) has outlined its marketing strategies for fiscal 2006 set to begin in October with a campaign called ''Thailand Grand Invitation''. The campaign's name is related to the 60th anniversary in 2006 of His Majesty the King's accession to the throne.

''Thais both in Thailand and around the world can invite their friends to come to Thailand, and witness the grand anniversary celebration,'' said TAT governor Juthamas Siriwan.

Thai expatriates will be invited back to participate in events arranged to commemorate the royal anniversary.

The TAT hopes that the relevant government agencies can arrange to open up certain palaces for public visits, to draw both international and domestic travellers, said the governor.

The TAT's target is to attract 15.12 million international tourists and generate 79.33 million trips by domestic travellers next year.

The authority plans to be more proactive in existing tourism markets, while also penetrating new markets, focusing on niche tourists, and promoting low-season travelling, said Ms Juthamas.

The TAT's major market categories are East Asia, Europe, America, South Asia, Oceania, the Middle East and Africa. Ms Juthamas said she expected average spending to rise at least 5% next year over 2005 by visitors from each category.

The 2006 marketing campaign will concentrate most heavily on Asia, particularly East and Southeast Asian countries, as well as countries in Europe.

Visitors from these markets decide their travel plans more quickly, Ms Juthamas said.

At the same time, the TAT will promote new markets, and expects results from Eastern Europe, Russia, Ukraine, other countries of the Commonwealth of Independent States (formerly parts of Soviet Union), the Middle East, Africa and up-market India.

The niche markets on the TAT list start with yachting, and include tourists who travel for golf, health care, diving and a honeymoon. Niche targets are the wealthy, women and the elderly.

Tourist destinations along the Andaman coast are to get heavy promotion. The Authority will continue to work to restore tourism in the tsunami-hit areas and lift facilities and services to international standard, said Ms Juthamas.

Happiness will continue as the local campaign theme, next year with ''40 Happiness Routes''.

Each route groups travel destinations in a region and across regional borders.

''We want to encourage more cross regional travelling among Thais, and also encourage Bangkok residents to travel within Bangkok, too,'' said the governor.

Tourism is edging towards a trillion-baht industry, according to the TAT forecasts.

In 2006, international tourists are likely to spend 533 billion baht, while domestic tourists will spend 380 billion.

During the first half of this year, international tourist arrivals were an anaemic 5.15 million, a 6% drop from the same period last year.

In 2004, international tourists totalled 11.65 million, and generated revenue of 384.25 billion baht.

The TAT is still waiting a cabinet decision on its request for 2.5 billion baht to extend promotions aimed at reaching the 13.38 million target of tourist arrivals this year.
Bangkok Post 20 July 2005 www.bangkokpost.com