TAT State Agency Expects Tourist Numbers to Increase

TAT expects the tourism situation to improve from last year.

Tourist arrivals dropped sharply after the airport closure last December, political instability in the country and a general slowdown of the global economy.

According to TAT Governor Pornsiri Manoharn, the situation scared tourists away. TAT had set the 2008 target at 15.48 million, but only 14.3 million tourists arrived on Thai shores, lower than in 2007 when 14.46 million visited the country.

TAT has since been working hard to lure tourists back to Thailand, starting with a roadshow in China in the first week of January.

This year, she said, TAT would spend 30 million baht on Amazing Thailand roadshows overseas in conjunction with the Department of Export Promotion, the Foreign Ministry and Board of Investment in China, Japan, Russia and the United Arab Emirates, its major markets.

TAT expects around 4,000 tourists from China and another 200,000 Chinese across the globe to visit Thailand during Chinese New Year holidays starting January 26.

It expects 1.05 million Chinese and 1.3 million Japanese tourists to visit the country this year.

Best value for money

Thailand has once again been voted the "Best Value for Money" destination by British holidaymakers, according to the Holiday Costs Barometer of the UK postal service.

The survey compared the cost of products and services purchased in long-haul countries and compared them to those in Europe. It found that Thailand had the lowest cost of living. For example, a cup of coffee cost around 64 baht, a bottle of beer 100 baht, a bottle of mineral water 28 baht, suncream 167 baht and a three-course evening meal with wine 1,393 baht.

According to Andrew Spice of Post Office Travel Services, despite its recent troubles, Thailand remained a great prospect for British holidaymakers. "The Thai baht may have strengthened, but prices remained very low in the country and the discounts now available to top resorts like Phuket and Hua Hin make Thailand an unbeatable value," he noted.

Other countries on the list were South Africa, Malaysia, Kenya and Spain.

Campaign ebony

Trang plans to plant 100,000 green ebony trees (Jacaranda obtusifolia) along major roads, in public places and at government buildings in the province.

The ebony tree is a symbol of Trang. Kij Leekpai, chairman of provincial administration, plans to promote ebony trees the same way as Chaiyaphum promotes the krajiew (Curcuma alismatifolia) flower at Pa Hin Ngam and Sai Thong national parks that are in bloom starting June, or the tulips in Chiang Rai that look their best end of December.

Visitors come to capture the colourful scenery on camera or pose among the blooms.

"The ebony trees bear flower March to April. We hope people will come to Trang for the same reason," he said, hoping to replicate an aura similar to the cherry blossoms in Japan.

Krabi reaches out

Krabi will spend 98 million baht this year to promote tourism in the province.

According to Governor Siva Sirisaowalak, the province would work with the private sector to draft 11 short- to long-term projects, among them holding roadshows locally and overseas, and launching a web site highlighting its tranquil beaches and dive attractions.

Map update

Nancy Chandler has introduced the tenth edition of her Chiang Mai map.

It comes up with a list of new vegetarian restaurants, chick boutique hotels and galleries, lesser known shops and jazz clubs, along with the usual information on where to stay, eat, shop, entertain yourself or play sports when visiting the province.

The map priced 210 baht is available at bookshops in Bangkok and Chiang Mai as well as via its web site at http://www.nancychandler.net.

Walk for women

Pan Pacific Hotel, the Tourism Authority of Thailand, the Ministry of Tourism and Sports, and National Cancer Institute will jointly organise the "Pan Pacific Bangkok Walk 4 Women 2009", a charity event, from February 7-8 to raise funds and awareness about cervical cancer.

Around 2,000 participants are expected to join the event of which 500 will take part in the 24-hour walk at Lumpini Park.

Participants can be men or women and enter as individuals or as a team. The registration fee is 1,000 baht.

For online registration, visit http://www.thailandmarathon.org/w4w.shtml.