FILE PHOTO: Tourists take pictures at Phu Thap Buek mountain in Phetchabun province, Thailand, December 12, 2020. REUTERS/Soe Zeya Tun/File Photo

 

BANGKOK (Reuters) - Thailand aims to generate at least 882 billion baht ($26 billion) in domestic tourism revenue next year, from government measures to revive the struggling sector after a major slump in foreign arrivals.

 

The Southeast Asian country's economy suffered its deepest fall in more than two decades last year, with the key tourism sector devastated by the coronavirus pandemic. The country plans to soon welcome more vaccinated foreign tourists.

 

The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) is working with businesses on plans to promote travel, including more flights to key tourist destinations such as Chiang Mai and Phuket later this month, deputy government spokeswoman Traisulee Traisoranakul said in a statement.

 

"The move is to meet higher demand for travel during the high season, as the outbreak situation has improved and measures to support travel have started," she said.

 

In the first eight months of 2021, Thailand recorded 127 billion baht in domestic tourism, despite incentives to encourage more local travel.

 

Last year, domestic tourism revenue dropped 55% to 482 billion baht, compared with an 83% plunge in foreign tourist receipts to 332 billion baht.

 

Thailand received nearly 40 million foreign visitors who spent 1.91 trillion baht in 2019. Its strict visa and quarantine requirements during the pandemic have until recently deterred foreign tourists.

 

The government last week reduced the quarantine period, however, and will from next month waive that for more vaccinated visitors, expanding a pilot scheme in place on Phuket and Samui islands.

 

-- © Copyright Reuters 2021-10-06

 

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(Reporting by Panarat Thepgumpanat and Satawasin Staporncharnchai;Writing by Orathai Srriing; Editing by Martin Petty)

If it's 'local tourism' then it's hardly revenue, is it? The money's just moving around, without the international tourist dollar coming in!

Another vague reference to doing away with quarantine altogether in November. Would be nice if they specified what that change will actually be. 

Another target that won't be reached,  just day dreaming as usual... 

The TAT (broken) calculator is working overtime I see. Plug in the answer you want and hey presto it displays that number.  No need for a calculation.

Brilliant! I wonder if they really factor all opportunities? Seems a little bit on the low side.

I wonder, is this information of any use to anyone? Tourism figures from the past. Tourism figures for the future, the accuracy of which is more than uncertain against the background of the pandemic. Any use for hotel or restaurant operators? Or even for tourists? 

In summary: superfluous article without substantial concrete information content.

Thailand targets $26 billion in local tourism revenue next year

 

Tourists take note, your not important, only the money you spend here is. 

38 minutes ago, tomacht8 said:

I wonder, is this information of any use to anyone? Tourism figures from the past. Tourism figures for the future, the accuracy of which is more than uncertain against the background of the pandemic. Any use for hotel or restaurant operators? Or even for tourists? 

In summary: superfluous article without substantial concrete information content.

Agreed. A fluffy article about the Ministry of Projections, Hopes and Illusions.

Awwww Isn't it lovely to have the good old loony forecasts back.......

11 hours ago, snoop1130 said:

The government last week reduced the quarantine period, however, and will from next month waive that for more vaccinated visitors,

Only removing COE will increase tourists.

Do a  way with that COE

9 hours ago, 2long said:

If it's 'local tourism' then it's hardly revenue, is it? The money's just moving around, without the international tourist dollar coming in!

Oh spoil it all why don't you? 

Dumb!

Its not rocket science, just drop all in country restrictions. Nothing else needs to be done for domestic tourism.

30 minutes ago, 10baht said:

Only removing COE will increase tourists.

And quarantine and fake quarantine.

10 hours ago, 2long said:

If it's 'local tourism' then it's hardly revenue, is it? The money's just moving around, without the international tourist dollar coming in!

Possibly, but if its savings sloshing around vs being in a bank then its a good thing. Don't for Thai's cannot travel to overseas vacations easily, so that money could have been to overseas coffers. As for the projection ... nuff said

I note that the article is from Reuters and not sure whether they have a representative in Thailand.

 If the article is based on announcements made by TAT no more needs to be said.

...good luck Thailand, i sincerely hope your dart doesn't fall out of the board onto the floor.

10 hours ago, 2long said:

If it's 'local tourism' then it's hardly revenue, is it? The money's just moving around, without the international tourist dollar coming in!

You just spoilt their cunning plan.

This year it was "lets go halves", tourists pay half the government subsidies the rest.

 

11 hours ago, snoop1130 said:

Thailand aims to generate at least 882 billion baht ($26 billion) in domestic tourism revenue next year

Brilliant Idea!!

 

We want domestic tourists to spend 882bill. All we need, is to ensure the domestic population has disposable income of 882bill, so that they can spend... 

 

drilling down; 70mill population - 882bill spend

- if 25% of the population takes part in this bonanza, thats some 50,000/tourist

- assuming 4 pax per family, thats 200,000 baht per family of disposable income for tourism.

 

Now, on to the next brilliant idea...

11 hours ago, snoop1130 said:

The country plans to soon welcome more vaccinated foreign tourists.

Nice to see they've substituted "lure" for welcome....

26 billion Baht maybe. 

There is only one solution, that is for the Government to print money and devaluation, resulting in significant reduction in wealth of the local Hiso population (the small number of international elites will endure to continue as puppet masters). However, he who hesitates is destined to lose. Which SE Asia country will devaluate first?

12 hours ago, snoop1130 said:

travel during the high season

shouldn't they call it "the new low season formerly known as high season"?

12 minutes ago, Skeptic7 said:

26 billion Baht maybe. 

I was thing 26 Million baht at a push

Fair enough 

Just write this year off as a bad joke..

If you think standing shoulder to shoulder is a great way for a holiday think again!

 

Tourists take pictures at Phu Thap Buek mountain in Phetchabun province which is beautiful when your spending it with a few people!

 

Dream on TAT no one is going to come to Quarantine, tests etc let alone your 500 baht fee

A post using a trolling image has been removed.

It’s just a target, why not shoot for a bigger and not-so-round number like 53.7 billion?

 
Same cost and more convincing, tacking on the .7 looks like someone’s sat down and worked out a number. Even if they haven’t.