TAT told to spend wisely

After a meeting between members of the Federation of Thai Tourism Associations (FETTA) with TAT Chairman Weerasak Kowsurat, Maiyarat Pheerayakoses, president of the Association of Domestic Travel (ADT), the FETTA spokesperson said that the TAT had approved excessive funding for some projects.

For example, Bt50million for an upcoming trade show in Vienna, and Bt100million to finance a domestic tourism promotion campaign.

"The private sector is wondering how the agency will use its budget to boost tourism," Maiyarat said.

Weerasak agreed to reconsider the spending plans and discuss them with the government.

Earlier, the Cabinet endorsed a Bt1-billion stimulus plan for the tourism industry, as proposed by the Ministry of Tourism and Sports. The ministry requested Bt5 billion to help tourism operators affected by the closure of the two airports in Bangkok late last year.

To help offset the effects the global economic crisis and political unrest have had on the tourism industry, authorities will receive Bt11.6 billion for 2010, compared to Bt28 billion proposed by the ministry. For this year, the authorities were granted Bt12.3 billion.

For 2010, TAT has been allocated a budget of Bt4.5 billion, compared to Bt4.4 billion this year.

According to Maiyarat, the federation will be sending a letter to Deputy Prime Minister Korbsak Sabhavasu in the near future calling on the government to monitor budget spending.

FETTA comprises the Association of Thai Travel Agents, Thai Hotels Association, Thai Travel Agents Association, Association of Domestic Travel, Thai Ecotourism and Adventure Travel Association, Thai Transport Operators Association, Thai -Japan Tourist Association and the Thai-Chinese Tourist Association.

FETTA also called on the government to complete national tourism programme as soon as possible to help operators and their employees stay in business.