BANGKOK – Minister of Tourism and Sports Kobkarn Wattanavrangkul has confirmed attacks in Paris have not affected the Thai tourism while the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) have planned to increase tourism revenue in 2016.
The minister on Sunday predicted that the deadly attacks in Paris would not affect the Thai tourism in the short run, saying European tourists had not cancelled their hotel room reservation. The number of Thai tourists in November was higher than expected but their spending was lower. The ministry was therefore urgently stimulating domestic travel by both Thai and foreign tourists, said the minister.
More than seven million tourists from China and ASEAN countries have visited Thailand after bombings at the Ratchaprasong junction in August this year, higher than last year by one million people.
The TAT’s tourism promotion plan for 2016 focuses on quality tourist sites with unique Thai characteristics with the objectives to persuade tourists to stay in Thailand longer. There will also be new activities to promote tourism targeting sport lovers and working women.
