TAT encourages Thais to travel domestically with three strategic tourism campaigns

BANGKOK - The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) has officially launched three strategic domestic tourism campaigns with the objective of enticing Thais to travel more often domestically in 2016, bringing the number of domestic tourists up by four per cent to 150.8 million trips and increase the revenue by 8.04 per cent to 807 million Baht.

Mr. Yuthasak Supasorn, TAT Governor said, “We are placing greater emphasis on stimulating domestic tourists’ spending in parallel with promoting community sustainability in line with the Royal Thai Government’s policy to establish local economies that are economically viable, environmentally sound and socially responsible. Our 2016 domestic tourism campaigns retain our relentless effort to instil national pride among Thais by inspiring them to travel more domestically and uncover impressive Thai legacies handed down through the generations.”

TAT’s three domestic tourism campaigns for 2016 comprise the “12 Hidden Gems Plus” or twin destinations, “Khao Lao Wa” or folklore tourism, and “Outdoor Fest” or an innovative and interactive tourism consumer fair.

The “12 Hidden Gems Plus” or twin destinations campaign follows the tremendous success of the first 12 Hidden Gems initiative launched in 2015, which has helped to generate greater awareness and stimulate local economics in secondary provinces. The “12 Hidden Gems Plus” will see Lampang being promoted together with Lamphun, Nan with Phrae, Phetchabun with Phitsanulok, Loei with Chaiyaphum, Buri Ram with Surin, Ratchaburi with Suphan Buri, Samut Songkram with Nakhon Pathom, Chanthaburi with Sa Kaeo, Trat with Rayong, Chumphon with Ranong, Trang with Satun, and Nakhon Si Thammarat with Phatthalung. TAT bases the pairings on the tourism uniqueness of the twin destinations that complement one another.

The “Khao Lao Wa” or folklore tourism campaign is under the “Dream Destinations” project, which continues for the third consecutive year with the aim of enticing Thais to experience unique places of interest across the country. The initiative highlights 24 sites of myth and legend. Over the years or even the centuries, these 24 places have accumulated tall stories that have intrigued locals and visitors. For example, Zutongpae Bridge in Mae Hong Son where locals believe that crossing this wooden catwalk will bring success in life, or the Black Sand Beach in Trat where locals believe that the black volcanic sand has restorative powers.

The “Outdoor Fest” campaign is an innovative and interactive tourism consumer show that will be organised alongside the “Wan Thammada Na Thieo” (Experience Thailand during Weekdays) fair, which will be held from 12-15 May, 2016, at the Queen Sirikit National Convention Centre, Bangkok. It will highlight a range of fun-filled outdoor travel experiences; such as, biking, scuba diving, golfing, mountain climbing, forest trekking, and bird watching as well as other innovative activities. The event will also host triathlon and extreme sports competitions. The four-day fair is expected to feature products and services from more than 250 establishments, attracting about 260,000 visitors and generating some 120 million Baht, or a 20 per cent increase over 2015.

Mr. Yuthasak said, “All these three exciting campaigns are strategically designed to spread tourism income into secondary destinations resulting in stronger local communities and tourism clusters, and to entice weekday travel among all target groups, which are the Generation Y and female travellers, the DINKS (double income no kids), and the high disposable income group including senior citizens.”

For 2015, TAT aims to attract Thais to make 148 million trips domestically generating 800 million Baht in revenue.

sourced:traveldailynews.asia