‘Visit Chiang Mai Year’ In 2006?

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‘Visit Chiang Mai Year’ in 2006?

Tourism industry figures are proposing that 2006 be promoted as “Visit Chiang Mai Year” in order to boost tourist numbers and capitalise on the opening of a number of attractions.

The campaign will correspond with the opening of province’s night safari and international convention centre, as well as the staging of the International Horticultural Expo.

It has the backing of the Thai Hotels Association, Chiang Mai Tourism Business Association, Tourism Authority of Thailand and numerous private-sector representatives.

Industry figures are also keen to promote the upcoming opening of a host of five-star properties in Chiang Mai, including the Orient Hotel, Conrad Hotel and Shangri La Hotel. All the properties will be up and running by 2006.

They say the campaign will also assist the government’s push to establish Chiang Mai as a regional aviation hub.

Worapong Muchaotai, president of the Thai Hotels Association (Northern Chapter), said the plan would be formally presented to provincial CEO Governor Suwat Tantipat as soon as possible.

He expects the government will support the plan, adding that it will be passed to Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra when the Cabinet meets in Chiang Mai later this month.

“We hope the new tourism products will help expand the market and we expect revenue from the industry here will rise from Bt37 billion to Bt70 billion a year,’’ he said.

Boonlert Perera, president of the Chiang Mai Tourism Business Association, said the campaign would serve as an ideal marketing tool to promote the province’s new attractions. The campaign should also include other northern provinces, he added.

--The Nation 2004-05-12