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thailand : Thailand Remains a World-Class, Tourist-Friendly Destination |
 Thailand Remains a World-Class, Tourist-Friendly DestinationIn the face of the recent challenges of the global economic downturn, Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva said that his administration was committed to ensuring that Thailand remains a peaceful, stable, and hospitable country to visit, and to which investments flow without obstacles.
The Prime Minister presided over the opening of the Guardian Observer Travel Awards 2009 at the Royal Thai Navy Convention Hall in Bangkok on 16 October 2009, when he spoke about Thailand’s tourism. He thanked Guardian News and Media for selecting Thailand to be the host destination for the 23rd Guardian Observer Travel Awards, the event that gave Thailand the unique opportunity to welcome the United Kingdom travel and tourism industry’s top professionals to the country.
He explained that tourism has been one of Thailand’s most successful industries and that it plays an important role in preserving the country’s heritage, generating income, and creating jobs nationwide for Thai people. The Government has adopted several measures to make it more convenient for tourists to travel in Thailand. These include visa fee waivers, airport landing fee waivers, hotel promotions, and a tourist insurance scheme.
In addition to fantastic value-for-money, the Prime Minister said that Thailand is also a top venue for seminars and conventions, with over 2,000 international meetings and exhibitions a year. The warmth and friendliness of the Thai people are one of this country’s greatest assets. The professional services provided for hosting meetings and conventions, small and large, are superior. He said that Thailand’s modern infrastructure, central location, ease of transportation, and incentives offered all make the country a very convenient place to hold meetings and award ceremonies.
From January to September 2009, Thailand welcomed almost seven million tourists from around the world. Although this is lower than the number last year, it follows the current decline in travel worldwide. But tourism is fast picking up, and the prospects look very good for Thailand to reach the targeted 14 million tourists for the entire year. From the United Kingdom, Thailand has received over 435,000 visitors so far this year, while the target is at least 700,000 visitors for the entire year. The Prime Minister said that some UK tour operators are reporting significant growth, which is very encouraging. And the UK remains the strongest market within the European Union – ranking first for arrivals and revenue generated.
He was confident that with Thailand’s peak travel season beginning in November, the launch of the Tourism Authority of Thailand’s “Amazing Thailand, Amazing Value” campaign, and the continued support of tour operators, airlines, and hotels, Thailand could increase the number of visitors in 2010. To boost tourism well into next year, the Government has also extended the exemption of visa fees and the safety insurance scheme for tourists until March 2010. And for a sustainable tourism industry, the country has continuously developed related sectors, including human resources for the tourism industry and tourism studies in universities, as well as logistics management.
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