Hidden gems boost tourism

BANGKOK Thailand’s Ministry of Tourism and Sports reports domestic visits to destinations listed as 12 hidden gems and 12 hidden gems plus reached 11 million and generated THB32 billion, January to March this year. According to the ministry’s department of tourism’s initial data for the 24 hidden gems destinations attracted 11,052,295 visits and circulated THB32,312 million in the first quarter of this year. Last year, the country promoted 12 hidden gems; Lampang, Nan, Phetchabun, Loei, Buri Ram, Ratchaburi, Samut Songkhram, Chanthaburi, Trat, Chumphon, Trang and Nakhon Si Thammarat. inside no 4This year, another 12 must-visit destinations were named 12 hidden gems plus. (Lamphun, Phrae, Phitsanulok, Chaiyaphum, Surin, Suphanburi, Nakhon Pathom, Sa Kaeo, Rayong, Ranong, Satun and Phatthalung.) The top five hidden gem destinations in Quarter 1 for visits were Rayong (1,496,848), Nakhon Si Thammarat (926,692), Phitsanulok (898,277), Chanthaburi (606,937) and Nakhon Pathom (584,775). Domestic travel data is based on estimates as there are no reliable channels to monitor arrivals to a destination, other than the guest registration at hotels that file records with local police and authorities. Tourism and Sports Minister, Kobkarn Wattanavrangkul, said domestic tourism helps to spread revenue across the country and the 12 hidden gems and 12 hidden gems plus campaigns achieved this objective by supporting travel to secondary destinations. “The promotion encourages travellers to stay overnight in the provinces rather than make day trips.” sourced:ttrweekly.com