ID :
144712
Sun, 10/03/2010 - 21:41
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http://m.oananews.org//node/144712
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Thailand targets attracting 14 million tourists this year
BANGKOK, Oct 3 - Thailand's Minister of Tourism and Sports Chumpol Silapa-archa on Sunday said he was confident that Thailand will attract at least 14 million tourists this year after a drop in tourist numbers due to the political turmoil earlier this year.
Speaking at a ceremony to celebrate the eighth anniversary of the ministry establishment, Mr Chumpol said the ministry was affected by the recent political crisis, particularly in the beginning of this year when the number of tourists dropped due to concerns over safety.
However, good signs of a tourism revival could be seen in the third quarter as the number of hotel reservations has increased and the ministry expects to attract tourists to the targeted number at least 14 million people for the whole year, he said.
Roadshows have been held in Asia, Europe and in cooperation with neighbouring countries to promote tourism in the Mekong region to expand customer base.
Thailand recorded more than 7.5 million tourists in the first half of 2010 and the number of the tourists for the whole year is expect to reach some 14-15 million people, bringing in US$600 billion if there is no violence related to domestic politics.
The minister said he believed there will be nothing serious that could lead to a political protest from now on to the end of the year.
The tourism stimulus campaign in 2011 will add some sports competitions during the low season to attract more tourists to reach 15-15.5 million people, he said. (MCOT online news)
Speaking at a ceremony to celebrate the eighth anniversary of the ministry establishment, Mr Chumpol said the ministry was affected by the recent political crisis, particularly in the beginning of this year when the number of tourists dropped due to concerns over safety.
However, good signs of a tourism revival could be seen in the third quarter as the number of hotel reservations has increased and the ministry expects to attract tourists to the targeted number at least 14 million people for the whole year, he said.
Roadshows have been held in Asia, Europe and in cooperation with neighbouring countries to promote tourism in the Mekong region to expand customer base.
Thailand recorded more than 7.5 million tourists in the first half of 2010 and the number of the tourists for the whole year is expect to reach some 14-15 million people, bringing in US$600 billion if there is no violence related to domestic politics.
The minister said he believed there will be nothing serious that could lead to a political protest from now on to the end of the year.
The tourism stimulus campaign in 2011 will add some sports competitions during the low season to attract more tourists to reach 15-15.5 million people, he said. (MCOT online news)
