Minister wants Thailand a 'weekend destination'
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Tourism and Sports Minister Kobkarn Wattanavrangkul aims to make Thailand a "regional weekend destination" and one of the top five Asian sport venues.
“For tourism, the government will push Thailand as a weekend destination for tourists from Asean countries. Meanwhile, the country should become the first [destination] in sport in Asean and also in the top five in Asia,” Kobkarn said during her first meeting with officials at the ministry yesterday.
She said tourism should be on the national agenda in order to compete in a tough environment. China has recognised tourism as a key driver of its economy.
The newly appointed tourism minister also outlined other key strategies including increasing arrivals and revenue, spreading that revenue into the provinces and communities, promoting medical tourism, and soliciting allies such as airlines to build up the country’s image and maintain Thai hospitality.
Campaigns and activities will be run under a national programme called “Discover Thainess”. Programmes to ensure tourist safety and to clamp down on illegal hotels and tour guides will continue.
Thailand is expected to welcome 25 million international tourists this year, generating revenue of Bt1.2 trillion, while the domestic market should bring in Bt700 billion.
The tourism sector accounts for 10 per cent of the country’s gross domestic product. It is hoped that tourism will generate total revenue of Bt2.2 trillion next year – Bt1.4 trillion from the international market and Bt800 billion from the domestic market.
The country hopes for 29 million international visitors next year, up 12.9 per cent from this year’s target.
The ministry was granted a budget of Bt6 billion for fiscal 2015, up 6 per cent from fiscal 2014. The ministry earlier proposed for Bt8 billion.
However, it can ask for extra funding if it faces unpredicted crises.
The budget will distributed among the Tourism Authority of Thailand, the Sport Authority of Thailand, and the ministry itself.
