Asean and new markets to cushion impact of slump in exports to euro zone, says Kittiratt
Electronics, jewellery, and garments are among the major Thai export industries currently hit by the euro-zone crisis, but the growing Asean and other new markets would help cushion the negative impact, according to deputy premier and Finance Minister Kit
He said the euro-zone situation had stabilised as key players were taking action to solve the problems.
Besides the export sectors, the country’s tourism industry has also been hit by the euro-zone crisis with tourist arrivals down 6-7 per cent in the past months when compared with the same period last year.
Tourism and Sports Minister Chumpol Silapa-archa, said tourist arrivals for the whole year should still meet the target of 20 million as there will be more visitors from Asia, especially China, Japan and Korea.
Suraphol Sawet-senee, governor of the Tourism Authority of Thailand, said the agency’s target is to boost annual tourism revenue to Bt2 trillion in 2015, nearly doubling from Bt1.1 trillion recorded last year.
He said Russia, China, Korea and Australia are priority markets for Thailand as they still enjoy strong economic growth rates.
In addition, TAT has focussed on special interest groups such as golf tourism, spa tourism, honeymoon tourism and shopping tourism.
He said the agency would also implement measures to attract higher-income tourists, especially those in the middle and high-income groups. For example, the ratio of high-income visitors will be raised to 25 per cent of the total, up from the present 18 per cent in the next 2-3 years.
