New minister looks to 40m arrivals
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Tourism and Sports Minister Kobkarn Wattanavrangkul is talking with key government and private bodies on seeking ways to boost arrivals to 40 million by 2020.
The minister on Monday held discussions with the Tourism Council of Thailand (TCT) about action plans and collected some short-term ideas on how to drive tourism.
The TCT proposed eight major plans to the ministry such as improving service standards, reducing tourism-related problems, enhancing tourist safety, promoting second-tier attractions and asking the government to work more closely with the private sector as well as establishing of national committee.
Kobkarn earlier met with the Education Ministry to seek ways to produce and improve human resources for the tourism industry. She also obtained the master plan of the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT), which targets Bt2.2 trillion in tourism revenue next year.
The TCT believes that the number of foreign tourists could reach 40 million by 2020 if the government cracks down on all problems and makes the most effective marketing efforts.
Kobkarn also plans to confer with the Tourist Police, the Interior Ministry, the Natural Resources and Environment Ministry and other tourism-related organisations for further cooperation.
Her ministry will promote alternative destinations such as Chiang Rai and Trat.
It will help distribute tourism income to rural areas. and allow small and medium-sized enterprises to access secondary cities.
One of marketing measures under the coaching of Kobkarn is promoting tourism through social media and other online channels, since many tourists now make reservations online.
