(L to R) Bundarik Kusolvitya,
president of THA Eastern region; Amnuay Thiemkeerakul, director of TAT’s
Asian Marketing Division; Mayor Itthiphol Kunplome; PBTA president Wiwat
Pattanasin; and Athapol Vannakit, director of TAT’s Pattaya office.
Warunya Thongrod
The Tourism Authority of Thailand is creating tourist “routes” to show off
fun and natural attractions in Chonburi.
TAT Pattaya office Director Athapol Vannakit, Chonburi PAO President Wittaya
Kunplome and Pattaya Mayor Itthiphol Kunplome unveiled the “Tour Chonburi,
Enjoy All Routes” campaign Sept. 21 at the Holiday Inn Pattaya’s Havana Bar.
The strategy focuses on grouping Pattaya-area attractions into themed groups
aimed at waterpark enthusiasts or nature lovers.
The waterpark “route” would lead visitors to well-known Pattaya Park, as
well four other parks announced since 2010. Only one of these - the Cartoon
Network Amazone Waterpark - actually has started construction. It is slated
to open sometime next year.
The “forest route” would cover attractions including the Sriracha Tiger Zoo,
Khao Kheow Open Zoo and Nong Nooch Tropical Garden.
One notable change in TAT’s marketing strategy for 2013 will be a renewed
emphasis on the European market. The TAT will attend trade shows in both
Germany and Switzerland, as well as events in Russia, Turkey, the Middle
East and China.
Athapol said the agency will also devote more marketing resources to England
and Japan.
Itthiphol said the city plans to continue to pack the schedule with events
to continually prime the tourist market, including the new-year Pattaya
Countdown, International Fireworks Competition, and International Music
Festival. Pattaya is also working with TAT on a “Family Trip” marketing
campaign to attract family tourists from 20 countries.
Much of the marketing work will be done online, with TAT officials pledging
to boost their promotional efforts on social networks. Chonburi is also
working with search engine Google Inc. to photograph areas around the
province that will appear when people search locations in Chonburi.
