Bangkok – 5 June, 2014, The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) has appealed to the global media to show that life is going on as normal and that visitors can have a perfectly good holiday in Thailand.
To reiterate this, TAT has produced a special video featuring interviews with visitors from the UK, China, Russia and Europe asserting that they are having a great time in Thailand. One of the interviews is with a couple carrying a baby infant in a body strap cradle. Another is with three young people from the UK waiting to catch a train at Hua Lamphong Station, Bangkok’s main railway terminal.
They all said they felt perfectly safe in the country.
Speaking at the Thailand Travel Mart+, the country’s most important annual travel trade show, TAT Governor Thawatchai Arunyik said, “We would like to inform you that the word “coup” in Thailand is not considered as sensitive as it means in other parts of the world. “Coup” in Thailand is still peaceful and safe for both the local people and visitors to the country.”
He said that while there have been declines in arrivals from a number of short-haul markets, many others are still doing well. For example, in January-April, arrivals from European countries have risen 7.63% to 2.76 million. In April 2014, arrivals have also risen from the Middle East (+17.59%), Oceania (+14.11%), Europe (+12.34%), and America (+1.90%).
He noted that the military government has moved quickly to relax nationwide curfews and lifted them entirely in the key tourist destinations of Phuket, Samui and Pattaya. The Ministry of Tourism and Sports is also set to propose that the curfew be lifted in Krabi, Phang-nga, Trang, Hat Yai, Ko Chang, Cha-am, Hua Hin and Chiang Mai.
The Governor added, “As you may see, the Thai people can enjoy their daily life as normal. Eating out, shopping, travelling, business meetings, even holding an important event like the TTM Plus is running normally. We strongly believe that Thailand’s tourism industry will rapidly bounce back again by the utmost efforts not just by TAT alone but with the cooperation from all of you.”
Mr. Thawatchai said that the TTM Plus had attracted a total of 314 buyers and 97 foreign media. “We see your presence as a strong indicator of your confidence that Thailand will ride this through, as it always has,” he said.
About half of the total buyers are first timers. In addition to buyers from major markets; such as, Europe, South East Asia, America, and Australia, TAT has invited first-time buyers from new potential markets from East Europe, the CIS countries and South America.
TAT is projecting international visitor arrivals in 2014 at 25.6 million, a slight drop over 2013. However, visitor expenditure is expected to rise 2.18% to 1.23 trillion Baht (US$38.4 billion).
TAT is also inviting members of the Foreign Correspondents Club of Thailand to visit the show and see the turnout for themselves.
Contact Information:
International Public Relations Division
Tourism Authority of Thailand
Tel: +66 (0) 2250 5500 ext. 4545-48
Fax: +66 (0) 2253 7419
E-mail: [email protected]
Web site: www.tatnews.org
