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Published on February 29, 2008

Minister Weerasak Kowsurat said the ministry would work with the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) and the private sector to reach the challenging goal.

Weerasak proposed the target to TAT officials and operators at the first meeting between agencies and the private sector yesterday.

The TAT had set this year's inbound revenue at Bt547 billion, an increase of approximately 10 per cent from the previous year, before it was revised by Weerasak.

Weerasak said he would search for more "quality" tourists as they could spend more money while staying.

TAT governor Phornsiri Manoharn said the authority would increase its trips abroad this year in order to draw more international tourists, organising 28 foreign roadshows and joining 150 trade shows. The agency will continue promoting Thai culture.

With this plan, the TAT expects to attract more tourists and contribute more income, close to the projection of Bt800 billion.

Phornsiri said the TAT along with operators - hotels, travel companies and airlines - would go to Northern Europe and Eastern Europe as they are emerging new markets for Thailand. Meanwhile, the TAT will attempt to attract high-spending tourists.

From June 6-8, the TAT is scheduled to join the International India Fair to promote wedding and honeymoon trips to Thailand. The TAT hopes 520,000 Indians will visit Thailand this year.

The TAT will also participate in the annual meeting of the Pacific Asia Travel Association in Thailand this year. The authority will promote various packages for delegates.

Kongkrit Hirunyakit, president of the Tourism Council of Thailand, yesterday handed a letter to the minister asking the government to reveal a four-year tourism plan.

The council also called on the ministry to set a target for inbound tourism revenue to reach Bt1 trillion in the next four years.

The private sector said high-quality tourists were the key to bringing more income into the country.

The council also urged the government to enhance competitiveness, particularly for small and medium-sized companies, as well as asking the ministry to improve training of staff.

Apinan Sumanaseni, president of Thai Airways International, proposed that Don Mueang Airport should be an aircraft-maintenance centre, rather than running as a second international airport or a budget-airline terminal, regardless of whether Suvarnabhumi Airport is close to meeting its full capacity.

However, he said good management would be required if the government decided to use Don Mueang as a second airport.

The airline expects more tourists this year because it has just opened a new domestic route between Bangkok and the popular island resort of Koh Samui.

Suchat Sritama

The Nation