Cool weather a hot topic for travel

BANGKOK Kasikorn Research Centre estimates tourism revenue circulating in Thailand’s north and northeast regions, October to December, this year, will reach THB48,500 million increasing 11.24% from THB43,600 million over the same period last year.
The bank think-tank unit said Thai tourists will flock to the north and northeast to experience cool weather with Chiang Mai and Nakhon Ratchasima provinces drawing the most visitors.
The expansion of low-cost airlines is the main driver pushing the expansion of domestic tourism.
inside no 2In addition, the government approved a five-day holiday for the New Year festival from 31 December 2014 to 4 January 2015 and has added the incentive of a tax rebate on travel expenses that citizens can gain when filing their annual tax declarations.
Under the scheme, businesses and private individuals will be eligible for tax deductions on expenses until 31 December next year.
Individuals who buy local package tours, or hotel accommodation, will be able to list the purchases as deductible expenses against their taxable income for the year. The deductible amount is set at no more than THB15,000.
Companies will also be able to use the tax rebate for residential training programmes for employees.
The centre estimates Thai tourists travel to the north and northest of Thailand will reach 15.7 million visits and generate THB48,500 million in revenue in Q4.
Breakdown by region
The bank estimates that Thai travellers will reach 7.20 million visits (+10.8%) to the north and genenate THB33,000 million (+11.5%). Of the revenue, THB16,700 million will be spent in Chiang Mai and THB16,300 million in other northern provinces.
Meanwhile, Thai tourist trips to the northeast region should reach 8.50 million (+9.77%) and circulate THB15,500 million in tourism revenue (+10.7%). Of that income, THB2,700 million will circulate in Nakhon Ratchasima, THB2,500 million in Khon Kaen, THB2,000 million in Udon Thani, and THB1,500 million in Ubon Ratchathani and THB6,800 million in other destinations.
Kasikorn Research Centre is a subsidiary company of Kasikorn Bank, which conducts tourism and business research mainly on Thailand’s economy including tourism with reliable recommendations and indicators on business prospects.

sourced:ttrweekly.com