Cabinet approves two tourism schemes
The Cabinet on Tuesday approved the Tourism and Sports Ministry's proposal to provide US$10,000-per head assurance to foreign tourists, for a period of six months starting from May 1, as a measure to draw back tourists after the political turbulence.
The Cabinet also approved the Small and Medium Enterprise Development Bank (SME Bank) to provide a low-interest loan to affected tourism business operators. Under the Bt5 billion fund, the loan will charge 3 percentage points below minimum lending rate, or 4 per cent per annum. Each borrower is entitled for no more than Bt5 million.
Deputy Prime Minister Pradit Pataraprasit said after the Cabinet meeting that the loan is part of the smePower project. The borrowers would be offered a 1-year grace period.
"Targets are those who operate hotels, tour companies and others which are closely linked with the sector which have suffered from a drop in tourist arrivals," Pradit said.
Loan applications must be submitted within July 31. The bank promises to approve the loan applications within 15 days.
Pradit also announced that loan applicants can contact him directly at smepower.tourism@gmail.com, if encountering any problem.
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