Thailand’s TAT lowers arrival target
TAT lowers arrival target
The Tourism Authority of Thailand has revised downward its projected tourist arrivals for this year from 14 million to 13.7 million due to the economic crisis and the Kingdom’s political problems, newly elected governor Surapol Svetasreni said yesterday.
“If the internal political tensions do not worsen and the global economy does not deteriorate further, the TAT expects to reach 13.7 million international arrivals this year, lower than the initial projection of 14 million,” said Surapol.
>From January to the end of September, the country received 9.8 million tourists, so it will need to attract 3.9 million in the last quarter to reach the new target.
Surapol added that the TAT would target short-haul Asian tourists in December and early next year with attractive package offers.
“Advance bookings are still slow, so the TAT will encourage late bookers to come to Thailand,” he said.
Despite the authority’s efforts, many in the private sector feel it will be difficult to reach the new goal.
Surapol, however, remained upbeat. “The TAT will spend extra marketing funds to encourage tourists to visit,” he said.
Prakit Chinamourphong, president of the Thai Hotels Association, said the target was too high. It is projecting tourist arrivals to reach somewhere in the vicinity of 12 million.
Hotel operators in major tourist destinations have reported a drop from 2008. Only Phang Nga has seen an increase in advance reservations.
Prakit said the sector needed help from the authority to attract tourists, and urged the TAT to talk with operators and revise its short-term marketing plans.
Virote Sitprasertnana, president of the Thailand Tourism Network Association, said the tourism sector was still struggling with the effects of the global economic crisis and internal political instability.
Kongkrit Hiranyakit, chairman of the Tourism Council of Thailand, suggested the TAT use new technology to lure tourists from around the world in these tough times.
