TAT looks to home market

Foreign tourist arrivals could fall 50% next year, so the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) will focus on the domestic market to compensate for the loss, says Juthaporn Rerngronasa, deputy governor for marketing communications.

"The TAT will miss its [foreign] tourist arrivals target of 14.5 million ... this year. But we can't calculate exact damages and losses caused by this political problem," she said yesterday."What we're sure of is the number of tourists will definitely fall next year but we can't set any tourist arrival and revenue targets for 2009."

For next year, TAT will clearly focus on market segmentation and new areas such as the elderly, with packages to match their demands. "Thai people must help each other. If Thais travel more inside the country, it will help to drive up the tourism business," she said.

That should take care of at least the first few thousand baht lost, I wonder how many Thais will come to stay in the big 5 star hotels. I particulary like the line "Thai people must help each other", anyone bother telling the PAD that.

hahaahahaha I can just see all the Thais checking into 3000 baht + a night hotels!!

.....I would like to suggest that Khun Juthaporn serious considers medical treatment for her delusions

So exports down - massively - due to world finacial collapse (pending); tourism from overseas down - massively - due to world finacial collapse, and political turmoil. But TAT think Thais will have more to spend on holidays.

ha,ha,ha,ha,ha,ha, - - - - - - - - -

If my 7 years old son came out with such an idiotic statement then I would ask for his school fees back!

50:1 BHT USD and I might stay at the Nana for a night.

the hotel i stayed in at hua hin last year seemed to have like 90% thais and it was 5000 baht a night

the hotel i stayed in at hua hin last year seemed to have like 90% thais and it was 5000 baht a night

And that was last year....this year..... ecomonic melt down, which hasnt really started to impact Thailand yet....

You couldn't make it up.

You couldn't make it up.

Well TAT have done just that !!!

Talk about grabbing at straws.

Also it again shows that Thais just don't understand the gravity of what's about to happen to their own economy. Holidays will not be on the agenda next year for most Thais.

the hotel i stayed in at hua hin last year seemed to have like 90% thais and it was 5000 baht a night

That was the Farang price