ID :
129412
Thu, 06/24/2010 - 10:37
Auther :
Shortlink :
http://m.oananews.org//node/129412
The shortlink copeid
Yuan exchange flexibility brings Thai tourism plan for Chinese road show
BANGKOK, June 24 (TNA) – To cash in on China’s decision to make the yuan’s exchange rate more flexible, the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) plans a road show in the country to attract one million tourists into Thailand as targeted this year.
Speaking after a meeting of the tourism agency's board of directors, Governor Surapon Sawetserani said TAT officials will visit China to negotiate with tour operators seeking their support in encouraging Chinese people to visit Thailand following the yuan's appreciation.
“It is suitable now to attract Chinese tourists into Thailand because the strengthening of the yuan makes it cheaper for package tours in Thailand. Simultaneously, the tourists will receive visa fee waivers granted as part of Thailand's measures to stimulate tourism.
“TAT will resume its advertising campaign to attract Chinese tourists. It is expected the plan, if applied successfully, will encourage one million Chinese tourists to tour Thailand as targeted for this year,” he said.
Mr Surapon said that TAT would convene the directors of 24 domestic offices and 35 international offices to meet during June 28-July 2 to prepare its performance plan for 2011 to ensure the number of foreign tourists reaches 14.4 million as targeted, equal to that of 2009.
TAT forecast the number of tourists next year would not reach the earlier projected 15-16 million in the wake of the recent political mayhem.
“Key issues that need to be monitored for the preparation of the performance plan for 2011 include the economic uncertainty in Europe following a debt crisis in Greece and Belgium, and the stronger Chinese yuan,” he said.
The TAT chief reported the number of foreign tourists visiting Thailand during June 1-22 totaled 418,234, down 9.86 per cent from the same period last year.
However, he noted the number of foreign arrivals on June 16, 17 and 22 increased 1.73, 8.11, and 3.53 per cent, showing the trend continued to improve. It is expected that the number of foreign visitors will reach 14 million as targeted for this year. (TNA)
Speaking after a meeting of the tourism agency's board of directors, Governor Surapon Sawetserani said TAT officials will visit China to negotiate with tour operators seeking their support in encouraging Chinese people to visit Thailand following the yuan's appreciation.
“It is suitable now to attract Chinese tourists into Thailand because the strengthening of the yuan makes it cheaper for package tours in Thailand. Simultaneously, the tourists will receive visa fee waivers granted as part of Thailand's measures to stimulate tourism.
“TAT will resume its advertising campaign to attract Chinese tourists. It is expected the plan, if applied successfully, will encourage one million Chinese tourists to tour Thailand as targeted for this year,” he said.
Mr Surapon said that TAT would convene the directors of 24 domestic offices and 35 international offices to meet during June 28-July 2 to prepare its performance plan for 2011 to ensure the number of foreign tourists reaches 14.4 million as targeted, equal to that of 2009.
TAT forecast the number of tourists next year would not reach the earlier projected 15-16 million in the wake of the recent political mayhem.
“Key issues that need to be monitored for the preparation of the performance plan for 2011 include the economic uncertainty in Europe following a debt crisis in Greece and Belgium, and the stronger Chinese yuan,” he said.
The TAT chief reported the number of foreign tourists visiting Thailand during June 1-22 totaled 418,234, down 9.86 per cent from the same period last year.
However, he noted the number of foreign arrivals on June 16, 17 and 22 increased 1.73, 8.11, and 3.53 per cent, showing the trend continued to improve. It is expected that the number of foreign visitors will reach 14 million as targeted for this year. (TNA)
