Thailand targets to keep tourism moving

The Thai government has taken extra steps recently in an effort to build the lagging tourism industry in the country. It has been reported that tourism for the country as a whole is at the lowest level for the past 20 years.

The worldwide recession has not helped the falling figures for the South East Asian country and the Thai baht continues to stay strong against the pound and the dollar. Talk of civil unrest in the south of the country as well as the international airport in Bangkok being closed down by protesters last year, who were supporting ousted former Prime Minister, Thaksin Shinawatra, have also had an impact.

So far this year the Thai government waived visa fees for tourists until the 4th June and then that was extended until next year in a bigger push to encourage more tourists, although this plan was not welcomed by many Thai consulates around the world that rely on tourist visa fees to keep them operating.

The government has also seen clear to offer loans to smaller tourist based businesses to get them through this hard financial time.

“There is no doubt that these are challenging times. We are extremely happy to be receiving the maximum possible assistance and cooperation from right across the industry. Everybody realises the importance of travel and tourism to the country’s economy,” said Mrs Juthaporn Rerngronasa, Deputy Governor of Marketing Communications for the Tourism Authority of Thailand.