TAT to discuss redirecting international bookings for domestic trips to boost tourism

By THE NATION

 

Yuthasak Supasorn

 

The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) will discuss with hotels, airlines and online travel agents the idea of swapping customers’ bookings for flights to foreign countries and accommodations there for domestic flights and accommodations instead.

 

TAT governor Yuthasak Supasorn said he wanted flight bookings to foreign countries and reservations for overseas accommodations, which customers couldn’t use due to the Covid-19 crisis, to be converted into domestic flights and accommodations.

 

This would stimulate domestic tourism in the second half of the year, he explained.

 

Customers who agree to swap their international bookings for domestic ones will receive an incentive in the form of a discount.

 

TAT estimates that the scheme would redirect 50 per cent of Thai bookings from the foreign tourism market back to Thailand. Domestic trips would increase to 12 million persons, he said.

 

“TAT must quickly find new strategies to stimulate tourism, after Japan planned to restart flights to low-risk countries, including Thailand, Vietnam, Australia and New Zealand,” the governor added.

 

Last week, TAT discussed two tourism stimulus packages with the Commerce Ministry, one being “Tyo Pan Suk” (Travelling and Sharing Happiness) and the other being a scheme to help officials who have been directly involved in tackling the virus.

 

Under the first package, tourists aged 18 or older could register to receive vouchers for hotel discounts. People who use the vouchers to check in at hotels will receive discounts on rooms, restaurants and spa treatments and get souvenirs at lower prices. Around 4 million will be eligible.

 

Source: https://www.nationthailand.com/news/30389228

 

-- © Copyright The Nation Thailand 2020-06-08

 

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Great! So after paying for a proper flight to somewhere like Japan, and a hotel there, one can instead take Nok Air to Nakhon Nowhere and be put up in a nasty little short time hotel. Sounds fantastic! 

45 minutes ago, 2long said:

Great! So after paying for a proper flight to somewhere like Japan, and a hotel there, one can instead take Nok Air to Nakhon Nowhere and be put up in a nasty little short time hotel. Sounds fantastic! 

Nah, but girls living in Lad Prao would be given a free BTS ride to Sukhumvit, and a room at Nana hotel, instead of their trip to MPs in Korea, or the Middle east.

OMG 

 

I hope they are going to refund the Bt90k difference ..................... any mention of that ?

7 hours ago, smedly said:

OMG 

 

I hope they are going to refund the Bt90k difference ..................... any mention of that ?

Please....they have come up with what they think is a great idea...don,t complicate it with the reality of their insanity.....

1 hour ago, webfact said:

TAT governor Yuthasak Supasorn said he wanted flight bookings to foreign countries and reservations for overseas accommodations, which customers couldn’t use due to the Covid-19 crisis, to be converted into domestic flights and accommodations.

no surprise here, TAT normal non sense, Monday, weekly posting ....

oh yeah ...  I have a ticket to Vietnam & Nikko hotel booking ....

but they'll offer a rtn flight to Hua Hin staying at Lilly's hotel ...   WOW  !!

Yuthasak.... You cannot be serious, surely.

Good job i am sitting down, or else i would have fallen over laughing, at that crazy nonsense.

So; a two week trip to Tasmania becomes a two week trip to Trat, how nice !

It's a good idea in lieu of being able to travel internationally.

 

Better having a domestic holiday than a refund or flights from THAI that you probably will never see. 

2 hours ago, webfact said:

 

The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) will discuss with hotels, airlines and online travel agents the idea of swapping customers’ bookings for flights to foreign countries and accommodations there for domestic flights and accommodations instead.

Is that a straw passing by..............LOL

58 minutes ago, steven100 said:

oh yeah ...  I have a ticket to Vietnam & Nikko hotel booking ....

but they'll offer a rtn flight to Hua Hin staying at Lilly's hotel ...   WOW  !!

you mean Willy's hotel.

27 minutes ago, AlfHuy said:

you mean Willy's hotel.

ok...  Willy's ....  is that a good one with stained mattresses, air-con never cleaned and smells, shower doesn't work and free sh_t coffee in the morning.

1 hour ago, smedly said:

OMG 

 

I hope they are going to refund the Bt90k difference ..................... any mention of that ?

What 90K difference???  The hotels and flights in Thailand will adjust their prices upwards to accomodate any price difference and offer 'equal value'. 

Perhaps its not aimed at the entitled foreigner. Perhaps it's for the Thais?

 

You can collect your voucher later.

2 hours ago, steven100 said:

oh yeah ...  I have a ticket to Vietnam & Nikko hotel booking ....

but they'll offer a rtn flight to Hua Hin staying at Lilly's hotel ...   WOW  !!

Ummm no flights to Hua Hin. The airport previously offered only one flight a day... to Kuala Lumpur 

1 hour ago, Traubert said:

Perhaps its not aimed at the entitled foreigner. Perhaps it's for the Thais?

 

 

 

International tourist bookings?

 

Entitled Thais.

 

 

Edited June 8, 20206 yr by Enoon

It was njcie of them to discuss with airlines, tour operators etc.  WHAT ABOUT THE PAYING CUSTOMER?!!! 

DUMBASSES

I don't believe this is going to fly - excuse the pun.

I am not a Thai basher but after having some extensions done I have to stop using this expression that was frequent:

You cannot be that stupid.

6 hours ago, trainman34014 said:

So; a two week trip to Tasmania becomes a two week trip to Trat, how nice !

and you may end up with the "trots"!!

Almost everyday a new scheme to bring back all the tourists?
Aint gonna happen

Clutching at straws and silly headline grabs that are just plain daft.

 

If you have nothing sensible to contribute, simple!............. Keep your mouth shut!

8 hours ago, Boomer6969 said:

Nah, but girls living in Lad Prao would be given a free BTS ride to Sukhumvit, and a room at Nana hotel, instead of their trip to MPs in Korea, or the Middle east.

 

 Thai girls , have been primed / instructed,  to make foreigner , welcome more , than before..

     Every little bit helps . Amazing Thailand ..

11 hours ago, webfact said:

he wanted

Not about what you want dude .. Its what fare paying passengers with booked flights will accept and as already alluded to by other member who wants to trade an Int' flight for a poxy internal flight staying in the back of beyond .. And you bet some of the major tourist attractions likely to be visited will no doubt require some sort of adjustment in their favour .. They won't miss the opportunity to claw some back off anyone who takes up on this .. 

Edited June 8, 20206 yr by Justgrazing
Sp

Forget this nonsense TAT, give me the numbers.

 

"40 million domestic travellers to Phuket next month." That's better.

Edited June 9, 20206 yr by Oziex1
Typo

Although I have my doubts about the acceptance of this scheme by those who have international holidays booked. 

it should be noted that Thailand has a lot of great resorts and some great things to do, for those who might take up this offer.

I doubt they would accept an invitation to a cheap guest house in Nakhon Nowhere as suggested by other posters.

Hey, a week in Tokyo...would get you 6 months in Samui...

The basic thing to know to everyone who do not work in hospitals as a doctor or nurse.

Vietnam want to open a border with Europe. Thailand want to open a border to Vietnam.

One people arriving with coronavirus from Europe to Vietnam will contaminate vietnamese people. 

Vietnamese people go to Thailand as a tourists contaminate Thai people.

It is only question of time. And basic mathematics. I m my clever man but even I understand the basic issue

Basic  economics : domestic tourism can not stimulate tourist sectros unless the domestic pep or have a good ecomoni and can travel a lot.

International tourism bring money  from outside the country to stimulate ecomoni to prosperity and wellness.

Am I wrong?