HK superstars join in drive for Thai tourism

On Tuesday, two Hong Kong superstars are scheduled to visit Bangkok to help promote Thailand’s charms to Greater China.

On Monday, Thai actor Nadech Kugimiya will appear on media for the third year as the brand ambassador of Thai AirAsia.

The tourism minister is now on an overseas trip to sell Thai hospitality and restore confidence.

Yuthasak Supasorn, governor of the Tourism Authority of Thailand, said yesterday that famous Hong Kong actress Michelle Yim Wai-ling, who is better known in Thailand as Mai Suet or Mi Xue, along with popular actor Simon Yam Tak-Wah, or Ren Dahua, will be in Bangkok on September 22.

Mai Suet is scheduled to pray at the Erawan Shine, which was damaged by the blast, while Ren Dahua will meet with tourism authorities to help push Thai tourism. Both are invited to help rebuild tourists’ confidence without pay.

From August-September, Thailand is expected to lose 1.3 million international visitors and nearly Bt70 billion in revenue. The industry is expected to bounce back next quarter.

TAT expects that both the Chinese superstars would help encourage many more tourists from mainland China as well Hong Kong and Taiwan to come back to Thailand.

On September 15, TAT’s office in Los Angeles hired a Hollywood actress, Elisabeth Rohm, to wear and present Thai silk at the Threads of Thailand event, which was staged to introduce Thai culture and Thai silk to Americans. Tourism Minister Kobkarn Wattanavrangkul is now in Russia. Although Russians are hexed by economic problems and a weak currency, one million of them are expected to troop to Thailand this year.

This week, TAT welcomed the 21 millionth visitor, meaning the country is on track to exceed the target of 28.8 million visitors for this year.

This shows that confidence in Thailand as a travel destination remains higher than ever as the peak season approaches.