Phasakorn Channgam
The Tourism Authority of Thailand has mapped out an
aggressive overseas-promotion strategy for early 2012 that will see them
take to Turkey, India and Indonesia a message that this year’s disastrous
floods have not affected Pattaya.
Speaking at the Pattaya Business & Tourism Association’s
Nov. 9 meeting at the Green Park Hotel, newly appointed TAT Pattaya office
Director Athapol Vannakit said the city and country as a whole have seen a
sudden, serious decline in international tourist arrivals as news of the
flooding spreads around the world. However, he said, many don’t understand
that Pattaya and most tourist resorts remain unaffected.
“The domestic tourism market is stable, but the
international market is declining,” Athapol said. “There has been no serious
short-term financial impact, but we shouldn’t relax and must continue to
find a more-suitable marketing strategy.”
While TAT always ventures overseas during the late winter
and early spring, it will head overseas in January, with Pattaya officials
exhibiting at the World Golf conference in Turkey and the Regional Growth
Fund expo Jan. 13 at Mankado Island, Indonesia.
From Feb. 9-12, TAT’s Pattaya office and Chonburi public
officials will travel again to Turkey and proceed days later to a tourism
event in New Delhi. Another trip to Korea for a golf show is planned for
June.
No mention of promoting tourism in western countries was
mentioned.
Athapol said TAT is always looking for new, growing
markets and sees the strongest potential for 2012 in India and Indonesia.
