Thai tourism needs more stimulus to achieve revenue target
Thailand’s tourism revenue this year could total 1.2 trillion THB (33 billion USD), below the government’s target of 1.5 trillion THB, if no additional support or stimulus schemes are implemented, according to Tourism and Sports Minister Phiphat Ratchakitprakan.
Tourists take a selfie in Lamphun province of Thailand. (Photo: Xinhua/VNA)
Bangkok (VNA) – Thailand’s tourismrevenue this year could total 1.2 trillion THB (33 billion USD), below thegovernment’s target of 1.5 trillion THB, if no additional support or stimulusschemes are implemented, according to Tourism and Sports Minister PhiphatRatchakitprakan.
Henoted stimulus packages have been proposed, including a one-billion-THB projecttitled "Booster Shot" overseen by the Tourism Authority of Thailand(TAT) and another worth 1 billion THB on sports tourism project that aims topromote international and local sporting events throughout the country.
TheBooster Shot, jointly proposed by the ministry and private sector, is beingreviewed by the National Economic and Social Development Council, which willdetermine whether to use the central budget or the emergency loan decree tosupport the programme.
Despite tourism’s contribution to GDP reaching 18% before thepandemic, the official said over the past two years, the majority of measuresproposed by his ministry to assist tourism operators were rejected.
The Booster Shot programme is urgentlyneeded by the industry to stimulate demand and strengthen tourism stakeholders,he added.
TATalso plans to coordinate with a number of airlines to increase the seatingcapacity of all flights to at least 50% of pre-pandemic levels and assisttourism operators to transport more local tour groups.
For the sports tourism projects, which will use the budget from theNational Sports Development Fund, the ministry aims to promote threeinternational events: MotoGP 2022 in September, followed by two trail runningevents in Chiang Mai in November and December.
With more active marketing and promotions, the country can draw moreforeign athletes and audiences while creating more sports events aroundThailand to attract local tourists, according to the minister./.
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Tourists take a selfie in Lamphun province of Thailand. (Photo: Xinhua/VNA) 
