TAT takes the quality route
BANGKOK – Thailand will continue to look for quality visitors and seek to attract a broader range of tourists from across the world.
TAT governor Phornsiri Manoharn believes the tourism ministry’s desire to put quality ahead quantity will not have a negative impact on total visitor numbers this year.
TAT has a target of 14.8 million international visitors for 2007 – about one million more than recorded in 2006.
The governor said she was not setting “lofty targets” due to the unpredictability of global and local events.
TAT was also keen to highlight an environmental campaign whose message is “Don’t Spoil Thailand”.
Mrs Phornsiri said TAT is working with the provinces on environmental issues such as keeping rivers clean, and improving the lifestyles of the people who live along Thailand’s rivers.
The Tourism Authority of Thailand recently segmented and regrouped its core national tourism products into a seven-point package that will be marketed worldwide under the banner of “Seven Amazing Wonders” of Thailand.
The TAT governor said, “The new planning focus takes into account the many influencing factors at the global, regional, and local levels, ranging from changes in consumer behaviour, the impact of oil prices to branding and low-cost airlines.”
The 18 main markets, which are targeted for intensive promotions, are mainly in the Asia-Pacific, East Asia and Europe regions. Among the 20 emerging markets with strong growth potential are Vietnam, Philippines, Indonesia, Russia and CIS countries, East Europe, UAE, and Saudi Arabia.
This year, TAT is to open offices in Dubai, Moscow and Vietnam, all of which are generating promising growth. It is also working actively in China which is projected to become Thailand’s top source of visitor arrivals by the end of this decade, overtaking both Malaysia and Japan.
Ian Jarrett
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