Govt budgets $200m for 'Miracle Year' tourism campaign to start in March

Bangkok (The Nation/ANN) -

The Thai government has earmarked 6.34 billion baht (US$200 million) for the "Miracle Thailand Year 2012" campaign set to start in March, the Tourism and Sports Ministry says.

A source at the Tourism Ministry said it would fund the budget along with the Agriculture and Culture ministries and the Prime Minister's Office. The Tourism Ministry's share is 5.4 billion baht, including 4.8 billion baht from the Tourism Authority of Thailand.

TAT, the Thailand Convention and Exhibition Bureau and tourism associations will work together on the details of the campaign.

Tourism Minister Chumpol Silapa-archa said yesterday that the campaign would develop key cultural events such as the Songkran festival, Thailand Grand Sales, the Candle Festival and Loy Krathong as world-class events. For example, the length of such events could be extended from a week to month, as well as expanding single areas to tourism clusters.

Meanwhile relevant ministries will join forces to organise new events to stimulate spending by local and foreign visitors. The Tourism and Agriculture ministries plan to make Ratchadamnoen Nok Avenue a walking street to sell One Tambon One Product items and feature artistic performances. TAT will also be responsible for creating events related to highlighted products in each district in key tourist destinations.

However, not everyone in the tourism business is enthusiastic about the scheme in and of itself.

Sisdhivachr Chevarattanaporn, president of the Association of Thai Travel Agents, called for a long-term plan from the government to ensure the sustainability of Thai tourism and the travel industry.

"Creating world events luring tourist arrivals is not enough for long-term business. Promotion plans for strengthening local tourism enterprises and incentive plans for overseas investors should be among the first priorities," Sisdhivachr said.

Recently 17 countries issued travel warnings and advisories against visiting Thailand after the US government posted a warning about a terrorism threat in Bangkok. Chumpol said China, Germany, France and Israel had since lifted their advisories.

He added that the ministry would write to the US Embassy in Bangkok by next week calling for the lifting of the warning, which has had an impact on the Thai tourism industry.