Low-season package bookings hit new high in TAT fair

BANGKOK: -- Nearly half a million Thais will be setting off on cut-price package holidays during the low season thanks to the latest Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) tourism promotion fair.

It is only four days since the TAT’s fair opened at the Queen Sirikit National Convention Centre, but an estimated 450,000 Thais have already flocked to the event to purchase low-price tourism deals, way above the TAT’s initial target figure of 250,000.

Today Mr. Chaisong Choorit, director of the TAT’s domestic marketing promotion office, hailed the success of the fair, saying that it was a growing indication of the popularity of low season tourism.

Pointing to figures from the hotels and tourism destinations participating in the fair, he said: “Over four days, the public have made package holiday bookings worth Bt400-500 million…This shows that more Thais are turning to domestic tourism."

If the bookings made at the fair are anything to go by, the most popular travel destinations among Thais remain Chonburi, Trat, Phuket, Krabi, Prachuab Khiri Khan, Chiang Mai, Petchaburi, Bangkok, Rayong, Surat Thani, Trang, Chiang Rai and Nakhon Ratchasima.

Pointing to the fact that the majority of provinces chosen for holidays were coastal ones, Mr. Chaisong said that Thais no longer appeared to be concerned about the threat of tsunamis.

“From now on, both Thais and foreigners will tour coastal destinations in the south in increasing numbers”, he said.

--TNA 2005-05-15

an estimated 450,000 Thais have already flocked to the event to purchase... holiday bookings worth Bt400-500 million...

they forgot to mention the 3 foreigners who attended and spent 200 baht at the coffee shop outside the convention hall...

I wonder how many paid in cash or as I suspect on credit adding to the enormous

debt mountain that can never be paid off?