Council sets steps to offset virus impact

Kobsak Pootrakool, deputy secretary-general to the prime minister for political affairs, said short term measures would include reduction of excise on jet fuel, tax cuts for local tourism seminars organised by the private sector, postponement of corporate tax payment for companies in the tourism sector and soft loans for tourism operators.
 The measures will be proposed to the Cabinet on February 4.
  The tourism sector contributes 20 per cent of gross domestic product and employs more than 10 million.
  The Transport Ministry proposed to the meeting a cut in plane landing fee.
 Meanwhile, long term measure to be implemented in May is the establishment of a committee to ensure 'ease of travelling'. The committee will focus on upgrading tourism sector and solve problems for travellers.
  Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha, who chaired a meeting of the economic ministers on Friday (January 31), will approve setup of the committee soon. 
 Tourism Authority of Thailand Governor Yutthasak Supasorn said the TAT had yet to revise the arrival target of around 41.8 million with an estimated total revenue of Bt2.22 trillion this year.
  He added that after the situation returns to normal, the TAT will promote travel by Thais and woo tourists from other countries to offset the decline in  arrivals from China.