elef Posted July 16, 2004 Report Share Posted July 16, 2004 'HAPPINESS ON EARTH': Target for 2005: 13m visitors Published on Jul 16, 2004 TAT's multi-strategy campaign aims to earn Bt409 billion Thailand now officially offers overseas visitors "Happiness on Earth", according to the state tourism agency's new marketing campaign - and more than 13 million visitors are expected to come looking for it next year. Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) Governor Juthamas Siriwan unveiled the new slogan yesterday and projected a 15-per-cent increase in international tourists and overall revenue of Bt409 billion. The TAT also hopes to see up to 76 million domestic travel journeys next year, with "locals" spending a further Bt347 billion. The "Happiness on Earth" campaign is designed to avert the negative impact of Sars, the avian flu and unrest in the South, Juthamas said. At the same time, Sports and Tourism Minister Sontaya Khunplome has forged a pact with Francesco Frangiali, secretary general of the World Tourism Organisation, that will promote southern Thailand as a destination for Muslim travellers. The TAT plan stems from a week-long brainstorming session in Pattaya, attended by representatives from the agency's 22 local and 17 overseas offices. Juthamas said the authority has developed a four-year tourism plan through to 2008 aimed at attracting 20 million international travellers to the Kingdom, with revenue topping Bt700 billion. It expects domestic travellers to make some 81 million trips during those four years, generating Bt550 billion for the local tourism industry. However, at a recent seminar on industry prospects, people in the trade warned that the government should pay more attention to improving quality and competitiveness rather than focusing on the numbers. Juthamas said the arrival of low-cost airlines was a key factor in boosting tourism. The TAT has developed eight marketing strategies to drive the industry, focusing on the high-end market. They cover shopping, golf, spas and health, honeymooners and long-stay visitors, as well as MICE - Meetings, Incentive travel, Conventions and Exhibitions. More low-season campaigns will be broadened, such as Unseen Wonders, Unseen Adventures, Unseen Sacred Items and Unseen Ways of Life, Tradition and Culture. The TAT will publicise the traditional festivals of Songkran, New Year, Chinese New Year and Loy Krathong, as well as promote the annual Thailand Grand Sales and Bangkok International Film Festival. Thailand and its neighbours plan to develop Highway 8 linking Nakhon Phanom in the Northeast with Vinh in Vietnam via Laos, and Highway 9 between Mukdahan and Danang via Savannakhet and Hue. The TAT said each of its overseas offices plan to conduct localised campaigns focusing on upmarket travellers and new market segments. Suchat Sritama The Nation Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
elef Posted July 16, 2004 Author Report Share Posted July 16, 2004 "At the same time, Sports and Tourism Minister Sontaya Khunplome has forged a pact with Francesco Frangiali, secretary general of the World Tourism Organisation, that will promote southern Thailand as a destination for Muslim travellers." Southern Thailand for muslim travellers? They want to avoid what happen(ed) western tourists in Egypt I guess! "The TAT plan stems from a week-long brainstorming session in Pattaya, attended by representatives from the agency's 22 local and 17 overseas offices." Pattaya - really promising for the nightlife! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pattaya127 Posted July 16, 2004 Report Share Posted July 16, 2004 Thailand now officially offers overseas visitors "Happiness on Earth" --------------------- This confirms what was hinted many times in the past. The thai govnmt has been a member/lurker of our august NanaP forum. "happiness on earth", where else would they get that? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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