TAT to open offices in Russia, Vietnam and Dubai this year
The Tourism Authority of Thailand's board yesterday approved the appointment of eight overseas directors and the opening this year of three offices in Moscow, Vietnam and Dubai.
The eight new directors are Visanu Charoensilpa for Moscow, Pramote Subyen (Dubai), Pichai Raktasinha (Ho Chi Minh City), Chattan Kuljara (New Delhi), Anong Chaochankit (Fukuoka in Japan), Walailak Noipayak (Seoul), Suwalai Pinpradab (Frankfurt) and Viyada Srirangkul (Rome).The office directors are expected to focus on market development, especially in the three new locations. Tourism and Sports Minister Suvid Yodmani said key Asian markets were likely to underperform due to negative factors, but the TAT could reclaim arrivals from countries outside Asia as well as from Indochina and emerging markets like Russia and the Middle East. Suvid also discussed with the board a revision of the business plan of Thailand Privilege Card Co, which is owned by the TAT. He said the company would reduce operating costs and cut commissions on sales of Thailand Elite Cards from 15 per cent to 10 per cent. It will also deposit cash of Bt600 million to earn interest at 4.5 per cent. To enhance customer service, it will open an exclusive lounge at Suvarnabhumi Airport and develop a call centre. Thailand Privilege Card has 2,130 members and hopes to increase the figure to 2,700 next year and 20,000 in 20 years. It plans to raise its membership fee from Bt1 million to Bt1.5 million in two years. "The agencies agreed that Thailand Privilege Card should keep running its business as it can help the country's economy," Suvid said. According to a study of the Thailand Elite Card Project released yesterday by the Economics Faculty at Thammasat University, Thailand Elite Card could generate both direct and indirect revenue. Associate Professor Tatre Chanprakolika as the head of research said that for direct returns, each member spent Bt470,112 per trip on accommodation, entertainment, souvenirs, transportation and other products and services. The indirect benefits will reach at least Bt20 billion during 2002-2013. However, Thailand Privilege Card should hike its membership fee from Bt1 million to Bt1.79 million, which would help the firm break even within 15 years, sooner than expected, Tatre said. Suchat Sritama, The Nation
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