TAT launches 'Colour of the East' card
The Tourism Authority of Thailand is teaming up with provinces on the eastern coast to launch a "Colour of the East" privilege card to boost tourism by offering discounts at hotels, spas, golf courses, restaurants and tourist attractions.
The card is being offered in cooperation with TAT's central region office, which covers Chon Buri, Rayong, Chanthaburi and Trat. Charubun Pananon, executive director for TAT's Product Promotion Department, said the card would be available for Thais and foreigners who live in the Kingdom, with the aim of attracting middle to high-end level tourists to the eastern coast. He said nationwide tourist arrivals in 2006 had hit 12 million - an increase of 14.4 per cent - generating Bt71 billion in revenue. "The four provinces alone welcomed 25 per cent of the total," said Charubun. Overall visitor growth in the region is 10 per cent while numbers for Chanthaburi and Trat jumped 44 per cent and 26 per cent, respectively. He expects an increase of 4 to 5 per cent in tourists visiting east-coast provinces this year. The "Colour of the East" card focuses on tourism products such as beaches, scuba-diving shops, national parks and restaurants. Travellers also receive discounts at hotels, spas, golf courses and other tourist enterprises. Some 220 entrepreneurs are participating in the scheme, and the card is valid through the end of October.
|
