The government is being criticised over its tax-reduction measure to boost local tourism, and hotel and tour operators are instead urging officials to solve the political problem.
Chanin Donavanik, chief executive officer of Dusit International, said the tax reduction measure announced this week would not help operators regain business because it was just part of a series of measures.
He said political stability is the most important factor to rebuild tourism so the government must focus on that issue instead of trying to use pricing strategies.
Chanin said foreign tourists are concerned about safety if they come to Thailand. "Thailand itself could attract tourists from all over the world," he said.
Moreover, the government should run a national relief package instead of focusing on some points.
The group also advised all tourism bodies, including Thai Airways International, not to discount air fares while hotels should avoid cutting hotel room rates because it could damage the industry in the long term.
Maiyarat Pheerayakoset, president of the Association of Domestic Travel, said the tourism recovery measure should help operators to have more business in this low season in terms of numbers, but they might not be happy with the returns due to the low prices.
She added that many hotels and tour operators had already offered packages at such lower rates through this low season so far that they should benefit from the measure.
Hotel and tour operators are also urging the government to help through initiatives in areas and provinces unaffected by the recent turmoil.
Tassapon Bejleveld, chief executive officer of Thai AirAsia, called on the government to withdraw the state of emergency as it was discouraging tourists from travelling to Thailand.
He added that if the government lifted the state of emergency, tourists would return to the country faster than expected.
Chumpol Silpa-archa, Tourism and Sports Minister, said he would discuss marketing strategies with the management of the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) and the private sector today.
The group will revise key recovery and proactive plans and propose the final strategic plan to the Cabinet next week.
The Cabinet has a budget of Bt360 million, proposed by the TAT, to revive the tourism industry in the short term.
TAT and the private sector in the Rajprasong area yesterday announced the "Smile at Rajprasong" event from July 2-4.
The event is expected to draw 500,000 local visitors and tourists and hoped they would spend Bt500 million during the three-day event.
Shops in the area will offer special discount deals of up to 80 per cent while many hotels in Bangkok would join them by offering lower extra rates.
TAT Governor Surapol Svetasreni said the authority would host the same event in other areas, both in Bangkok and the provinces, in order to boost domestic tourism as well as to help restore the entire sector.