Industry agency comes up with scheme to help pull up souvenir makers
The Department of Industrial Promotion (DIP) has come up with guidelines to help souvenir businesses to get back on their feet within three months.
Nattapol Rangsitpol, DIP’s director-general, said the department’s guidelines go hand in hand with the government’s Tiew Pan Suk (Trips to Share Happiness) scheme to stimulate tourism and grassroots economy.
“The Covid-19 outbreak has brought the economic value of the souvenir business to less than Bt30 billion from February to April compared to Bt100 billion in the previous year due to a drop in the number of tourists,” he said.
“Hence, we are encouraging domestic travel so 11 million local tourists can compensate for approximately 28 per cent of revenue lost from the lack of foreign tourists.”
He said that to strengthen business, DIP has recommended that souvenir makers develop new products, improve production processes, use social media to find new customers, increase marketing channels, reduce costs and be prepared to take risks in the future.
"DIP is ready to provide business advice, such as how to operate or expand, for community enterprises, agriculture entrepreneurs as well as job seekers,” he added.