The Thai Travel Agents Association (TTAA) and operators in Chengdu, China, are planning to boost the number of Thai tourists during the low season.

President Anake Srishevachart said 20 outbound travel agents had met operators in Chengdu and nearby cities recently to discuss cooperation.

He said 60,000 Thai tourists visited the region each year, mainly in October, regarded as the best time to see the world-famous Jiuzhaigou Valley.

It is the second-most popular destination for Thais, ahead of Beijing and Kunming but behind Shanghai.

In October, hotel rates can reach Bt10,000 a night - 10 times higher than the low season from November to August.

"The cost of travelling to these places in October could be close to Bt50,000 a person for the popular five-day/four-night package, but it could fall to only Bt25,000 in other months," Anake said.

The Jiuzhaigou Valley has been designated a UN World Heritage Site. It is divided into Baojing Rock, Zhuzheng, Rizi, Jain Rock, Chang Sea and Zha Yu.

There are also more than 100 highland lakes with clear water. Many of these sites have been used in film shoots.

The TTAA and operators will include more activities in package deals and use advertising to attract Thai tourists during the low season.

Other attractions to be included on tours would be fellow World Heritage site the Huanglong Valley, the historical city of Chongqing and Chengdu's Panda Adventure, the largest panda ecopark in the world.

The TTAA also plans to speak with airlines about introducing direct flights to Jiuzhaigou instead of to Chengdu, thus eliminating the 10-hour bus ride to the valley from Chengdu.

Chengdu Everbright International Travel general manager Xiong Mingzhen said travel operators in Chengdu wanted more Thai tourists year-round. Travelling there outside October would be much cheaper.

"If we can increase tourist numbers from Thailand so that Thailand would gain more Chinese in return, this would make operators in both countries happier," she added.

Chavalit Serirojanakul, managing director of A Plus Travel in Bangkok, said his company expected more Thais to visit China this year.

Suchat Sritama

The Nation