Thailand reassures trade it’s safe to visit
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Thailand’s Minister of Tourism and Sports has reassured the travel trade that the country is a safe place to visit despite ongoing political unrest that has plagued the country.
“Thailand has encountered problems before, and has bounced back, and will do so again,” said H.E. Chumpol Silapa-archa, speaking at a press conference on day one of Arabian Travel Market (Tuesday 4 May).
“The majority of tourist areas are unaffected by the demonstrations and it is business as usual. “There are small pockets of demonstrators in Bangkok, and if these areas are avoided, tourists should encounter no problems.
“Riverside hotels have been largely unaffected as have the popular resorts of Pattaya, Phuket and Koh Samui. We anticipate a resolution of the situation very quickly.”
The Minister also stressed that in terms of source markets, the Middle East was considered a “rising star” with tourists from the region contributing greatly to the destination’s tourism growth.
He added that Thailand was “very grateful” to the Middle East’s tourism industry and media for supporting Thailand through this difficult period.
The newly elected Tourism Authority of Thailand Governor, Suraphon Svetasreni, told media that in his new role, he would focus on “digital marketing, brand image, sustainability, crisis management and responses as well as closer co-ordination between the public and private sectors”.
The TAT also announced several measures to aid tourism following recent political unrest and demonstrations:
These included the continued waiver of tourist visa fees valid until 31 March 2011; reduced aircraft landing and parking fees in Thailand; and a free insurance scheme for foreigners visiting Thailand in the event of disaster
The coming months will see additional incentives to boost tourism – a promotional video has been developed specifically for the Middle East market, featuring a GCC family enjoying the sights and sounds of Thailand. It highlights the availability of Halal restaurants and promotes eco-adventure holidays, the resorts of Pattaya and Phuket and spas and medical tourism.
Between 1999 and 2005, Thailand witnessed 10% growth in visitor arrivals from the Middle East.
In 2009 that increased by 5% to more than 370,000 visitors, who mainly hailed from the UAE, Kuwait and Oman.
In the first three months of 2010, there were 100,000 arrivals from the Middle East and 117 direct flights from the Middle East to Thailand on 12 airlines.
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