Foreign tourism unaffected by recent events, says ministry

The level of foreign tourism will be unaffected by the passing of His Majesty, said the tourism ministry yesterday.

Figures announced for the first part of this year show an increase in arrivals of somewhere between 12% and 16% and this is expected to continue in the second half of the year, reports tnamcot.

Any lessening of tourism will be internal from Thais who do not wish to travel during the period of mourning for the king.

Thanasak Patimaprakorn was speaking to reporters yesterday after a ministerial level meeting to discuss tourism.

He said that in the first six months of the year there were 24.28 million visitors who spent 1.23 trillion baht in the tourism sector. This represented an increase of between 12% and 16%.

He said that in the second half of the year this is expected to rise to as high as 32 million visitors.

Thanasak referred to improvements in how Chinese tourism was being organized – a clear reference to the crackdown on the practice known as “zero dollar” tourism.

Plans are also underway over the next few years for developments in tourism between neighboring Laos and the province of Loei in the north east.

Thanasak said that the TAT has prepared information for tourists regarding the observance and customs during the mourning period that would give advice on appropriate dress at various places in the kingdom.

Black ribbons are set to be handed out at the airport and tourist sites.

Plans for the Loy Krathong celebration next month should be largely unaffected by recent events, he added.

The only major changes are that loud music such as concerts would not take place and “Nang Noppamas” beauty contests would be cancelled as a mark of respect.

Light shows and candle lighting according to local traditions would continue.

Loy Krathong is marked on the full moon day on November 14th this year.

Thai Visa / tnamcot

 

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