TAT marks 55th Anniversary, promotes travel for all

BANGKOK - The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) is to mark the 55th anniversary of its founding to commemorate its historic role in the development of the kingdom’s leading service-sector industry. The 18 March event attended by senior TAT officials as well as members of the tourism private sector and the media.

Set up as the Tourism Organisation of Thailand in 1960, TAT has been at the forefront of the country’s tourism marketing efforts. Backed by solid research and insightful analysis of lifestyle, demographic and technological trends, TAT has undertaken numerous marketing campaigns worldwide to help boost visitor arrivals and make tourism one of the most important job creators and foreign exchange earning industries.

Invited guests at this year’s commemoration have been asked not to bring any flowers, but rather make a donation to the National Elephant Institute. This will help recognise the important role of the elephant in Thai culture and history as well in tourism promotion.

As part of the activities to mark the anniversary, a “Pak Thong Thiao Thai” (Flying the Thai Travel Flag) event was held between 14-15 March, 2015, to help raise awareness of the travel rights of People with Disabilities (PwDs). Conveying a broader message that “everyone can visit Thailand”, it was designed to encourage suppliers of Thai tourism products and services to make their buildings, vehicles and other public areas accessible to all.

TAT took a number of young students with hearing loss on a free excursion to Chon Buri province where they visited the Naval Sea Turtle Conservation Centre, Sanctuary of Truth, and Khao Khieo Zoo. The group included PwD students from Setasathira School along with their teachers, as well as youth from the Pakkred Disabilities Institute, including several in wheelchairs, and fans of Khun Krisana Lalai, a TV personality and a well-known advocate for the rights of people with disability.

A special video highlighting the progress of the Thai tourism industry over the last 55 years is being produced. It is designed to help enhance product development, encourage the Thai people to be good hosts and preserve their heritage and traditions, and better manage their indigenous tourism resources.

The latest promotional campaign “2015 Discover Thainess”, now in full swing worldwide, is designed to achieve a target of 28 million visitors generating an estimated 1.35 trillion Baht (41 billion USD) from international visitors, and an estimated 800 billion Baht (24.3 billion USD) from domestic visitors.

TAT is also partnering with Thai Airways International, which is also marking its 55th anniversary this year, to promote the “2015 Discover Thainess” campaign in both the domestic and international markets, especially Europe, North America, Asia and the ASEAN countries.

One key part of this promotion is directed at Thai expatriates living abroad who are being enticed and invited to experience a “Home Coming” by taking some time to return to their country of origin and familiarise themselves with its culture and heritage.

Thai Airways will also produce a broad range of marketing and publicity material to publicise the “2015 Discover Thainess” campaign and all the 55th anniversary projects before the start of the Songkran Festival in April 2015. Special videos will also be produced for in-flight screening on all Thai Airways routes.

To underscore the importance of sustainability in tourism, TAT and Thai Airways will organise a Green Community contest between now until 31 July, 2015, as part of the TAT’s Seven Greens project.

For the domestic market, TAT will promote tourism to the Royal Projects nationwide as well as Fly and Bike tourism. Thai Airways has recently announced that bikes can be loaded into the baggage hold free of charge, similar to golf clubs.

Applications are open for the 10th Thailand Tourism Awards, which will be conferred at a ceremony in September 2015. These are designed to recognise companies and individuals that have contributed significantly to advancing the sustainability and creativity of Thai tourism products.

sourced:traveldailynews.asia