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https://www.nationthailand.com/travel/30403397

Focus on domestic tourism as TAT targets Bt1.2-trillion revenue in 2021

ThailandMar 07. 2021

By THE NATION

The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) is targeting revenue of Bt1.218 trillion in 2021 for the tourism sector with strategies focusing mainly on domestic tourism.

In an interview to Thansettakij Thai newspaper, TAT Governor Yuthasak Supasorn said that his organisation planned to focus less on revenue from foreign travellers, and more on domestic tourists.

TAT estimates 6.5 million foreign travellers in 2021, generating around Bt347 billion in revenue.

Meanwhile, 160 million tourists in Thailand are expected to generate around Bt870.4 billion.

He added that Thailand’s tourism would see a V-shaped recovery from the present situation.

The TAT will kick off campaigns to woo foreign tourists in April. The governor expected at least 15,000 foreigners to visit Thailand in the third quarter of this year.

Initially, the TAT had targeted 100 million persons/times domestic tourists. However, to achieve its revenue target the organisation aimed to increase tourists by 50 to 60 million/times.

The main tactic to stimulate domestic tourism is to encourage travel on working days. The TAT is holding discussions to run stimulus campaigns linked to local holidays of each region.

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https://www.nationthailand.com/travel/30403224

Udon Thani’s famed Naga temple uncoils after Covid hibernation

ThailandMar 02. 2021Wat Kham Chanod in Udon Thani

By The Nation

Tourists can once again brave the mythical Naga that guards Wat Kham Chanod in Udon Thani from Wednesday, when the temple reopens its doors after more than two months.

The temple is situated on a lake that’s purportedly home to a fireball-breathing snake deity, but has been off-limits to visitors since December 24 due to the new wave of Covid-19.

Tourists can also try out the temple’s new wooden bridge, which stretches more than 100 metres to the lake’s island and offers spectacular views of the local scenery.

Online reservations to visit Wat Kham Chanod can be made at the temple’s website. Temperature checks and limits on the number of visitors are also in place as part of new Covid-19 measures, said Udon Thani’s deputy governor Chamras Kangnoi. Visitors from Covid high-risk areas will also be screened before entering, he added.

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https://www.nationthailand.com/travel/30403216

Thailand’s tourism sector wants country reopened on July 1

Mar 02. 2021

By THE NATION

Leading tourism companies in Thailand launched a campaign on Tuesday to reopen the country’s borders from July 1, 2021.

The #OpenThailandSafely campaign was launched by more than 15 major companies including Minor Group, Asian Trails, YAANA Ventures, Capella Hotels and Resorts EXO and many others. Minor Group boss Bill Heinecke is among leading Thai hoteliers pushing for vaccination-based early opening of the tourism industry.

The Open Thailand Safely campaign laid out its arguments in a petition backing a formal request to the government to respond favourably to the rollout of Covid-19 vaccination in Europe, the US and other markets for Thai tourism.

The petition is open to anyone in Thailand or abroad who would like to see the country reopen.

The campaign argues July 1 is an appropriate date for five reasons: the majority of citizens in many source markets will be vaccinated by then, it gives time for Thailand to vaccinate frontline hospitality staff and/or vulnerable citizens, it gives travellers time to make travel plans and bookings, the date gives time to airlines, hotels, tour operators and others to start marketing, sales and preparations for the restart of operations, and it will take Thailand at least a year to restore the number of visitors it had before Covid-19.

Under the July 1 restart plan, tourists could be asked to show proof of Covid-19 vaccination, a negative test with 72 hours of departure, health insurance, etc.

“The July 1 reopening would be a strategic opportunity for Thailand to show a leadership role among Asian countries and prepare the way for a solid recovery of the Thai economy in 2022,” said Willem Niemeijer, CEO of YAANA Ventures.

Open Thailand Safely organisers said they will also send the July 1 request to Prime Minister General Prayut Chan-o-cha, the minister of tourism and sports, and the Tourism Authority of Thailand governor.

Organisers pointed out that tourism destinations such as Seychelles, Maldives, Greece and Sri Lanka have either opened their borders or are considering doing so following successful vaccine rollouts in their key source markets.

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https://www.nationthailand.com/travel/30403089

Occupancy rate down 51% this Makha Bucha holiday, says TAT

ThailandFeb 26. 2021

By The Nation

The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) expects tourist numbers during the Makha Bucha holiday weekend to drop by almost half from last year due to Covid-19.

TAT Governor Yuthasak Supasorn forecast the number of domestic tourists from February 26-28 would be around 1.09 million, down 44 per cent year on year. He expected tourism revenue of around Bt3.9 billion, down 38 per cent year on year, and an occupancy rate of 16 per cent, down 51 per cent.

“The Covid-19 outbreak, economic slowdown and PM2.5 air pollution are still affecting people’s confidence in travelling,” he said.

He said tourism in the Eastern region was under pressure after the February-March festival of the Buddha’s footprint in Chanthaburi’s Khao Khitchakut National Park was cancelled.

“However, we still believe that Buddhists will participate in events to mark Makha Bucha Day and spend time with their families at tourist attractions near their homes.”

He added that tourism had been lively in Bangkok, Chon Buri, Nakhon Ratchasima, Kanchanaburi, Prachuap Khiri Khan, Ayutthaya, Nakhon Si Thammarat and Petchaburi.

“People are also taking trips in Chiang Mai as the temperature is still cool there,” he added.

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https://www.nationthailand.com/travel/30403062

Betong gets ready for arrivals once flights start landing in April

Feb 25. 2021

By THE NATION

Local businesses in Yala’s Betong city are getting ready to greet visitors once flights from Bangkok’s Don Mueang Airport start landing in Betong’s new airport from April.

The Betong District Tourism Association said relevant agencies and businesses have discussed plans of opening the city to visitors, as well as putting in Covid-19 curbing measures.

The association also said some 2,000 hotel rooms are being prepared for the influx of tourists and should be ready by April.

The top tourist attraction in Betong is the 61-metre-long skywalk, which gives visitors amazing views of the Ai Yerweng sea of mist from an altitude of over 600 metres. As many as 230,000 visitors have walked down the skywalk between October and December last year.

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TAT exploring idea of cryptocurrency use in tourism

Feb 19. 2021

TAT Governor Yuthasak Supasorn

By THE NATION

The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) plans to draw digital asset holders from Japan to Thailand, and allow cryptocurrency to be used in the tourism sector.

TAT Governor Yuthasak Supasorn said he had discussed this idea with the Technology Promotion Association (Thailand-Japan). He explained that this strategy would serve the growth of cryptocurrency in the future, as well as the usage of technology in tourism business in the post-coronavirus era.

“If this idea is successful, Thailand will be one of the countries where cryptocurrency can be spent in the tourism sector,” Yuthsak said.

The governor added that Japanese people were the world’s top bitcoin holders with 11 per cent of holdings.

He said cryptocurrency was popular among young people in Japan. Some hotels and restaurants have grown by receiving the digital asset.

Yuthasak also claimed that Elon Musk would visit Thailand in the post-coronavirus era, if cryptocurrency could be used in Thailand.

He added that TAT was now focused on “the big fish in the market”, and cryptocurrency was one of them. The cryptocurrency tourist idea will be discussed with restaurant and hotel entrepreneurs, as well as the Bank of Thailand.

He said there was awareness of malafide elements taking advantage of the use of cryptocurrency in Thailand to act in illegal ways.

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Voucher incentive for visitors to Chonburi, Pattaya City

Feb 13. 2021

By THE NATION

The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT), together with its allies in Chonburi and Pattaya City, is giving away Bt500 e-vouchers to people visiting the areas, under a campaign “Check in Chonburi Free 500”.

Visitors will receive the vouchers when they check in at hotels participating in this campaign, from February 12 to March 31. The total voucher amount a visitor can receive is Bt1,000.

The vouchers are also available at attractions, spas, cafes and restaurants participating in this campaign. Total quotas are over 3,500.

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Pandemic a blessing for coral, marine life

ThailandFeb 09. 2021Photo credit: Wachirun Chaisawatt

By THE NATION

A Facebook user posted photographs of coral growing on artificial reefs and a bounty of marine creatures captured while diving near Koh Libong and Koh Kradan islands off the coast of Trang.

Photo credit: Wachirun Chaisawatt

Wachirun Chaisawatt shared the photographs and his experience of the beauty of the Andaman Sea on Monday.

Photo credit: Wachirun Chaisawatt

The artificial reefs were built more than 15 years ago in a bid to provide a stable growing area for coral and a habitat for marine creatures.

Photo credit: Wachirun Chaisawatt

Apart from time, the other factor that is helping coral recovery is the Covid-19 pandemic, which has paralysed the tourism sector.

Photo credit: Wachirun ChaisawattPhoto credit: Wachirun ChaisawattPhoto credit: Wachirun Chaisawatt

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Army of starfish spotted feasting on coral off Phi Phi

ThailandFeb 05. 2021

By THE NATION

The scourge of the sea – crown-of-thorns starfish – is reportedly scavenging coral off the coast of Krabi’s Phi Phi Island.

On Thursday, Hat Noppharat Thara-Mu Ko Phi Phi National Park officials found more than 30 crown-of-thorns starfish off Ko Po Da Nok Island, near Phi Phi.

This high number of starfish will prove to be a blight to the area, officials said.

The park’s chief, Prayoon Pongpan, said officials will speak to related experts on how this scourge can be eradicated to preserve a balance.

The crown-of-thorns is a large starfish, ranging in size from 25 to 30 centimetres with up to 21 arms, that climbs onto the coral to absorb nutrients, reducing the coral down to a skeleton.

Reports say these starfish damaged up to a kilometre of coral a month in Guam. This sort of destruction takes nearly 40 years to recover.

The best way of dealing with the crown-of-thorns starfish is to expose it to sunlight.

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National parks ordered to limit entry after visitor tests positive

ThailandJan 04. 2021Varawut Silpa-archa

By The Nation

Natural Resources and Environment Minister Varawut Silpa-archa on Monday ordered national parks nationwide to cut visitors by 40-50 per cent as part of Covid-19 control measures.

The move follows news that a recent visitor to Phu Tub Boek mountain in Phu Hin Rong Kla National Park, Petchabun, later tested positive for Covid-19.

National parks could remain open, said Varawut, but their committees must implement containment measures in line with the severity of the outbreak in their area.

“We have instructed national park chiefs to follow guidance from provincial governors on disinfecting areas such as toilets and crowded places,” he said. “We also instructed them to ask people for cooperation on social distancing.”