BANGKOK, 22 March 2014 Tourist numbers will swell during the upcoming Songkran Festival, because of the improved political situation, according to the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT)
Wilaiwan Thawitchasi, the TAT’s deputy governor for tourism business and products, said the rate of tourism in the country will return to an enlivened level after the political situation was brought under control and the Emergency Decree was lifted. More tourists are expected to visit the Northern and Southern Regions during the Songkran period.
Mrs. Wilaiwan added that with ASEAN integration looming, Thai tourism businesses must quickly develop their capacity to accommodate more arrivals by tourists, who tend to regard Thailand as the top destination in the ASEAN region. She said they should prioritize improvements to service and language capabilities.
According to the TAT, Thailand generates the 11th highest amount of revenue from tourism in the world. This year, the target is to attract 28 million foreign visitors, which would generate 1.3 trillion baht in income.
