National—At 9:00 AM, on March 15th, 2024, Thai Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin presided over a meeting called “IGNITE THAILAND’S TOURISM” at the Queen Sirikit National Convention Center joining forces with public and private sectors.

The “IGNITE THAILAND’S TOURISM” brainstorm meeting had all sectors joining forces to boost Thailand tourism as a tourist destination in ASEAN and worldwide.

 

Srettha publicly revealed that after his official visits to Europe, he participated in the International Tourismus Borse 2024 (ITB), Berlin, Germany, the biggest event promoting the tourism industry on the world stage.

 

Srettha showed his vision at ITB that in 2025, Thailand tourism would be at a historical moment as the Thai government had support policies such as free visa measures such as Schengen visa proposals, which was going in a positive direction.

 

By Kittisak Phalaharn

 

Full story: THE PATTAYA EXPRESS 2024-03-16

 

- Discover how Cigna Insurance can protect you with a range of visa-compliant plans that meet the minimum requirement of medical treatment. For more information on expat health insurance click here.

 

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6 minutes ago, webfact said:

Srettha publicly revealed that after his official visits to Europe

Ahhh, so there was a reason for all his trips.....

30 minutes ago, webfact said:

“IGNITE THAILAND’S TOURISM”

 

That'll encourage more arson in the forests 😉

25 minutes ago, flyingtlger said:

Ahhh, so there was a reason for all his trips.....

Ahhh, so was his Japanese trip surely 🤔

Concerns over readiness of Thailand’s secondary cities for tourism
by Puntid Tantivangphaisal

 

Photo courtesy of Bangkok Post

 

The private sector has expressed concerns over the readiness of Thailand’s secondary cities for a major tourism boost, despite Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin’s declaration that 2023 will be “the greatest year for Thai tourism in history”.

 

These concerns were voiced during a recent tourism workshop at the Queen Sirikit National Convention Centre, where the 62 year old Thai PM outlined plans to transform tourism into one of the country’s three key economic drivers.

 

One significant concern came from Marisa Sukosol Nunbhakdi, President of the Thai Hotels Association. She questioned the readiness of secondary cities to cater to an influx of tourists, citing a lack of essential facilities, services, and attractions. Connectivity between major cities and second-tier provinces was also highlighted as a critical issue that could hinder the flow of tourists to new destinations and exacerbate congestion in major cities.

“Before hotels can promote their accommodation to guests, other tourism supply should be strong enough to facilitate tourists.”

Marisa emphasised the need for sustainable tourism education in local communities, a move that could attract younger, sustainability-conscious travellers and help manage the tourist influx efficiently.

 

Another industry figure, Chatri Sityodtong, the Founder and CEO of One Championship, a major martial arts and combat sports promoter, highlighted the untapped potential of sports tourism in Thailand. Despite a global sports industry valued at over US$35 billion (approximately 1 trillion baht), dwarfing Hollywood’s US$5 billion, Chatri noted that sports promotion in Thailand is underfunded and lacks adequate venues for large-scale events.

 

The government’s ambitious tourism revenue target for the year stands at 3.5 trillion baht, a significant increase from the 2.13 trillion baht secured last year, which contributed 12.8% to the GDP. Tourism and Sports Minister Sudawan Wangsuphakijkosol pointed out that the tourism industry contributed a record 18.6% to the GDP in 2017.

 

She outlined five key strategies to elevate the industry to a regional hub: elevating soft power; promoting tourism in major and secondary cities; attracting world-class events and upgrading local festivals to global festivals; enhancing connectivity within Southeast Asia; and ensuring tourism confidence, reported Bangkok Post.

 

The Tourism and Sports Ministry confirmed that it would evaluate the outcomes of the workshop and integrate them into its policies. However, it remains to be seen how the concerns raised by the private sector will be addressed in these plans.

 

Source: The Thaiger 2024-03-16

 

- Discover how Cigna Insurance can protect you with a range of visa-compliant plans that meet the minimum requirement of medical treatment. For more information on expat health insurance click here.

 

Get our Daily Newsletter - Click HERE to subscribe
 

Invite Zippo and Swan Vesta for some much faster ignition 🤔

 

One draw of these secondary destinations is the very fact that they are more challenging to get to, and have not been over-touristed.

 

Pumping in more tourists almost seems self-defeating.

 

 

Good job Mr Setthra, but first update your visa system and labour permissions, for the long term tourists, ban the alcohol sales hours and days, stop the scams and double pricings, and welcome tourists instead of chasing them like it is going on now.. Don't see tourists as intruders and lawbreakers or ATM's 

4 hours ago, webfact said:

At 9:00 AM, on March 15th, 2024, Thai Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin presided over a meeting called “IGNITE THAILAND’S TOURISM” at the Queen Sirikit National Convention Center joining forces with public and private sectors

That's all he's got, Tourism ... nothing else.

Next he'll be thanking CP corp and Japanese auto makers for helping out Thailands manufacturing sector.

Dear Mr PM

Instead of trying to get tourists here so that they can be ripped off, how about something that will help Thailand to WORK itself out of the problem that you (and others) have given it.

IGNITE Thailand! Chiang Mai is deeply affected by pollution caused by fires ignited by village idiots and farmers employed by giant conglomerates. He won't declare CM an emergency zone because he wants to protect tourism! Does he not realise that tourists are already falling ill, are already cancelling visits, are already telling their friends what a hell hole this place is. Ignite Thailand is where the future destruction of tourism and the health of it's people lies. Srettha is beyond being a fool he is complicated in condemning people to illness.

These tourism articles come out daily which makes me believe the tourism sector is more vital to their economy that we are led to believe. 

I don't think I've seen a country put all their advertising and marketing eggs on getting vistors to come to their soil as much as Thailand. It's quite funny and alarming at the same time 

"Ignite Thai Tourism!"

Plenty of tourists and posters here have burned, so maybe Thailand already on fire? Scams, misrepresentation of gender, reservations don't match descriptions, hair raising transportation, wiring.... hey

"Ya been burnt!" as Seth Meyers would put it

On 3/16/2024 at 11:53 AM, webfact said:

IGNITE THAILAND’S TOURISM

 

They already did, it's burning right now.