Thailand - The Tourists are Returning !

BANGKOK: -- The private sector is increasingly relieved by signs of a recovery in tourism and the high probability of over 12.7 million foreign tourists this year, according to the Thai Travel Agents Association.

"Foreign tourists are returning - and we believe that by the third and fourth quarters the situation will get much better - and the number of foreign tourists is highly likely to exceed 12.7 million and will probably reach 14 million," said Anake Srishevachart, chief adviser to the association.

Mr Anake said foreign tourists - especially from China and Japan - were expected to start travelling to Thailand again by April and May this year after the Thai government has completed its trade missions and roadshows in the two countries later this month.

According to the Thai Travel Agents Association, the number of foreign tourist arrivals last year was 12.7 million, a significant drop from 14.4 million in 2007.

About 54% came from East Asia and around 28% from Europe, while the rest came from the United States, South America, the Middle East and Africa.

The association's positive projection came despite the number of foreign tourist arrivals for the first two months plunging by 38.5% year-on-year to 292,000.

"It is a must, therefore, for the government to beef up public relations activities, particularly in those two markets," said Mr Anake.

He also urged the government to speed up marketing campaigns among travellers from Asean and those who participate in meeting, incentive, convention and exhibition (Mice) events.

Sakkarin Chorsawai, director of the Thai Hotels Association (THA), also suggested that the government promote more seminars upcountry to help smaller properties.

Source: Bangkok Post 13/03/09