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.
