Weekday company trips urged in bid to boost tourism sector
In a bid to stimulate the tourism sector, the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) is calling on listed companies to consider taking their staff out on trips or organise corporate social responsibility events up country.
TAT governor Yuthasak Supasorn said his organisation has talked with related agencies about promoting tourism during working days, adding that travelling during the weekends or on public holidays is not enough to help boost the tourism sector.
Hence, he said, TAT will push for tax incentives for listed firms to encourage domestic travel during working days.
Yuthasak also said that firms that organise the highest number of trips will also get a certificate from the prime minister helping the local economy.
He said the plan will be proposed to the Cabinet once it is studied and approved by relevant agencies.
TAT is also eyeing unlisted companies and plans to promote staff trips under the “Rao Tiew Duay Kan” tourism stimulus package.
Separately, TAT is also planning to extend its 40 per cent discount on hotels from five to 10 nights. The government launched this subsidy in mid-July, but so far, only 660,000 of the 5 million discounted nights on offer have been booked.
Travellers will also see their Bt1,000 discount on domestic flights increased to Bt2,000, Yuthasak said.
These measures will be submitted to the Cabinet for approval on Tuesday.