Thai Tourism Min hopeful annual tourist arrivals will exceed 25 million

[webfact]

Tourism Min hopeful annual tourist arrivals will exceed 25 million

BANGKOK, 13 November 2014 (NNT) – The Ministry of Tourism and Sports is anticipating a tourist number of over 25 million for the whole year of 2014 while insisting that the martial law is not a burden to the tourism sector.

Tourism and Sports Minister Kobkarn Wattanavrangkul revealed that the Cabinet has approved a tourism campaign for 2015 which will use the Thai way of life as the main selling point.

The campaign is expected to help present a new perspective on Thailand to the world and encourage foreign visitors to stay longer and spend more. It covers 12 not-to-be-missed destinations, such as Lampang, Phetchabun, Buri Ram, Chumphon, Ratchaburi and Trat provinces, in addition to 10 major cities like Hat Yai, Pattaya and Phuket.

The minister projected that the number of foreigners coming to Thailand throughout this year will reach 25-25.5 million persons. She admitted the figure is considered lower than 2013 by 1 million due to the political unrest in the country earlier in the year.

However, she confirmed that the enforcement of martial law has not caused a significant impact on Thai tourism, judging from the 6-percent increase in the number of advance bookings for this December compared to the same month last year.

Ahead of the New Year holiday, Ms Kobkarn invited the public to support Thai tourism by traveling within the country, adding that the ministry will arrange even more New Year activities for holidaymakers to enjoy than in previous years.


-- NNT 2014-11-13

[webfact]

BRIEF
Cabinet makes tourism campaign a priority
THE NATION

BANGKOK: -- Tourism Minister Kobkarn Wattanavrangkul said yesterday that the Cabinet had approved the new tourism campaign, with the "Discover Thainess" theme as a national priority.

The campaign was introduced to international markets last week at the World Travel Market in London and reportedly received a warm response from foreigners.

The campaign will focus on Thai ways of living and unique communities that can cater to tourists.

"Discover Thainess" is aimed at extending the average length of stay from eight or nine days per trip to as many as 11 days. Spending per head should also rise.

Phuket is ready to host the Asean Beach Games. Some 4,300 players and visitors are already on the island.

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/business/Cabinet-makes-tourism-campaign-a-priority-30247640.html


-- The Nation 2014-11-13

[Thai at Heart]

"Discover Thainess" is aimed at extending the average length of stay from eight or nine days per trip to as many as 11 days.

How they going to do this? Kidnap people?

[BuddhistVirus]

All righty, then...

[Mr Muggles]

"Discover Thainess" is aimed at extending the average length of stay from eight or nine days per trip to as many as 11 days.

How they going to do this? Kidnap people?

It's the extra few days spent in A&E or in a police cell.

[RustBucket]

Bloody Hell....

When everyone is reporting tourist numbers are well down on last year irrespective of the reasons (martial law, murder, police corruption, slavery etc etc). This unmentionable prosthetic is saying that overall tourism will be up... Lol.

This guy needs to go back to school to learn how maths works.

as for the new tourism campaign, with the "Discover Thainess" theme as a national priority.

Many of us have already discovered many facets of 'Thainess' and most of us find it bizarre. It is the last thing you want to push onto your visitors. I doubt it will make people want to stay longer, more likely to make them want to decrease their stay.

[NongKhaiKid]

She / They never give up do they ?

[BSJ]

"Tourism Min hopeful annual tourist arrivals will exceed 25 million"

and 10's of millions of men around the world are hopeful they will find Ha-penis with the woman they married!

But the reality is.....oops, shouldn't use the 'R' word.....should I!

[webfact]

The Tourism and Sports forecast tourist arrivals for this year to reach over 25 million



It also says the existing martial law does not obstruct the tourism sector growth.

BANGKOK: -- Tourism and Sports Minister Kobkarn Wattanavrangkul revealed that the Cabinet has approved a tourism campaign for 2015 which will use the Thai way of life as the main selling point.

The campaign is expected to present a new perspective on Thailand to the world and encourage foreign visitors to stay longer and spend more.

It will promote 12 not-to-be-missed destinations, such as Lampang, Phetchabun, Buri Ram, Chumphon, Ratchaburi and Trat provinces, in addition to 10 major cities like Hat Yai, Pattaya and Phuket.

The minister forecasted that the number of foreigners coming to Thailand throughout this year will reach 25-25.5 million persons.

But she admitted the figure is considered lower than 2013 by 1 million due to the political unrest in the country earlier in the year.

However, she confirmed that the existing martial law has not caused a significant impact on Thai tourism, judging from the 6-percent increase in the number of advance bookings for this December compared to the same month last year.

Source: http://englishnews.thaipbs.or.th/tourism-sports-forecast-tourist-arrivals-year-reach-25-million/


-- Thai PBS 2014-11-13

[rasmus5150]

"Discover Thainess" is aimed at extending the average length of stay from eight or nine days per trip to as many as 11 days.

I guess they are going to promote this as an "Adventure Tour".

[benalibina]

The Thai News Forum......always good for a laugh and a shake of the head.....Discover Thainess.......jeezzzz

[Noi657]

F knows where these people get there numbers from!

Try speaking to the people on the ground with small to medium businesses in the tourism sector.

[Sharp]

Advertising the 'Thainess' is definitely NOT the mantra that should be used to attract tourism.

[Bullie]

I am hopeful too..... That one day my ship will come in.

Isn't it wonderful to have such positive dreams?

I'm sure that now the whole of the tourist industry iis jumping for joy already!

[BudRight]

I often read on these TV forums that we should all stop worrying about things we can do nothing about. Certainly TAT discovering that bit of Thainess would do them some good.

Edited November 13, 2014 by BudRight

[Lobo4819]

And this campaign is to replace the recently adopted-then-abandoned "Ebola-free tourism" and "International Celebrity Selfie" plans, both of which were huge winners? Surely they will need to build more hotel rooms to accomodate the throngs wanting to learn about "Thainess."

[konying]

While in the mean time hotels remain empty with no advance bookings.

I wish TAT would pay 100 baht for every tourist they expected that did not show up.

[Chao Lao Beach]

Thainess has been discovered

Image credit, some Pattaya website

[yankee99]

About 75,000 tourists a day does anyone really believe thailand has the capacity/capability to process that many tourists. Thats assuming they arrive at equal times. If high season is busy that would be closer to 100000 a day.

[KIWIBATCH]

...............if BS was dynamite...TAT would blow this place apart............

[PaulHamon]

About 75,000 tourists a day does anyone really believe thailand has the capacity/capability to process that many tourists. Thats assuming they arrive at equal times. If high season is busy that would be closer to 100000 a day.

how do you get these numbers? and process them where???

if you mean the airport they day 8 days each, which mean across all the airports in Thailand it's laround 9,000 People per day.... not really that many spread over Chiang Mai, Phuket and two Bangkok airports.

[Commerce]

Hat Yai is on the recommendation list for tourists to visit?

They think at TAT that a few more white faces are going to reduce insurgent attacks?

[yankee99]

About 75,000 tourists a day does anyone really believe thailand has the capacity/capability to process that many tourists. Thats assuming they arrive at equal times. If high season is busy that would be closer to 100000 a day.

how do you get these numbers? and process them where???

if you mean the airport they day 8 days each, which mean across all the airports in Thailand it's laround 9,000 People per day.... not really that many spread over Chiang Mai, Phuket and two Bangkok airports.

25,000,000/365= 68,495 per day (sorry original math in my head) seems like lots of immigration officers needed. Or am i missing something?

[wilcopops]

"will use the Thai way of life as the main selling point." - I think the public are already aware of certain aspects of this...vis-a-vis the handling of the Koh Tao murders, the death of a Medical tourist, martial law, corruption, a coup, censorship of the media.....what else can they come up with?

Edited November 13, 2014 by wilcopops

[richard10365]

Actually, I've heard reports of the 5 star hotels in Chiang Mai mostly booked.

[tonysilly]

The Thai Bht is 32.84 to $1 USA , is this a sign? Will it go up or Down?

[yellowboat]

The Thai government just got rid of bunches of people who paid to have Thailand as there second home. They want to exchange new for old possibly. Reasoning that is detrimental to the Thai economy.

[Thai Visa Service]

How many Quality Tourist are they targeting.

Just read a article in a newspaper (that does not allow links to here), that due to an overnight ban of private

aircraft the truly high spending Tourist are forced to go somewhere else. TIT

[Orac]

"Discover Thainess" is aimed at extending the average length of stay from eight or nine days per trip to as many as 11 days.

How they going to do this? Kidnap people?

They could dust off the old plan of closing the airports.

[alanferdi]

About 75,000 tourists a day does anyone really believe thailand has the capacity/capability to process that many tourists. Thats assuming they arrive at equal times. If high season is busy that would be closer to 100000 a day.

how do you get these numbers? and process them where???

if you mean the airport they day 8 days each, which mean across all the airports in Thailand it's laround 9,000 People per day.... not really that many spread over Chiang Mai, Phuket and two Bangkok airports.

25,000,000/365= 68,495 per day (sorry original math in my head) seems like lots of immigration officers needed. Or am i missing something?

Yes Good Point!!! On the otherhand..... they could ask the chinese to help a bit.....HERD TOURISM - Perhaps short term work visas to help out in the fields to plant rice and fill the beaches or temples....They need to keep the Immigration office busy.....otherwise that would be the devils workshop.

Discovering Thainess?

What on earth is that? Imagine America saying ....discover Americanism, or other countries saying discover Englishness, Chineseness Frenchiness, Germanese... sounds stupid, why`? because...... Its a totally nonsensical word with no mental association to place, kind or person. if associated with what is evident in Thai society that tourist are exposed to; The false smile and unattentive in a conversation, sloppy work attitude (go to any shopping mall and the saleswomen is more interested in her Mistin makeup than with the customer) or the Taxi driver that refuses to take a hire....Solly, Lunch time, Shift change around the corner or the road is busy with traffic! Its as if we are asking for a free ride....NO we are paying!. Thainess sounds like an excuse to me everything that is not rationally explainable is automatically defined the the Thai way as" Thats Thai"....well, it does not attract but it does make a good discussion. So Mr Minister, please could you elaborate on your choice of the word "Thainess"....Is it Thai service? Is it Thai courtesy? Is it Thai ruralism? The quaint past of the cities where the tuk tuk rides and the death mini bus tours do not attract anymore. What has Thailand to offer in 2014`? Put a leaflet out for all Tourist leaving Thailand and ask them for their comments and they will help you define Thainess to give it some tangible meaning to the Tourist in his mind, perhaps that would keep a tourist another 2 days in the country? Ask though the right questions?

Let me get you started.

Did you enjoy your stay? Which cities did you visit? what do you think of Thailand, its people and its service ( I know people in Thailand have problems answering questions, why because they were never encouraged in their education career to do so..... But Europeans and most tourist in developed countries love a good question and a good feedback,)