THAI TOURISM BODY HOPES TO REDIRECT INTERNATIONAL BOOKINGS FOR DOMESTIC TRIPS INSTEAD

People visit the Grand Palace in Bangkok on June 7, 2020,
 as it reopened for visitors following restrictions to halt the
spread of the Covid-19. The proposal to swap international
bookings for domestic ones is expected to stimulate 
domestic tourism in the second half of 2020.  Photo: AFP

The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) will discuss with hotels, airlines and online travel agents the idea of swapping customers’ bookings for flights to foreign countries and accommodations there for domestic flights and accommodations instead.

TAT governor Yuthasak Supasorn said he wanted flight bookings to foreign countries and reservations for overseas accommodations, which customers couldn’t use due to the Covid-19 crisis, to be converted into domestic flights and accommodation.

This would stimulate domestic tourism in the second half of the year, he explained.

Customers who agree to swap their international bookings for domestic ones will receive an incentive in the form of a discount.

TAT estimates that the scheme would redirect 50 per cent of Thai bookings from the foreign tourism market back to Thailand. Domestic trips would increase to 12 million persons, he said.

“TAT must quickly find new strategies to stimulate tourism, after Japan planned to restart flights to low-risk countries, including Thailand, Vietnam, Australia and New Zealand, ” the governor added.

Last week, TAT discussed two tourism stimulus packages with the Commerce Ministry, one being ‘Tyo Pan Suk’ (Travelling and Sharing Happiness) and the other being a scheme to help officials who have been directly involved in tackling the virus.

Read the full article at TheStar: https://www.thestar.com.my/aseanplus/aseanplus-news/2020/06/08/thai-tourism-body-hopes-to-redirect-international-bookings-for-domestic-trips-instead

#domestictourism, #TAT, #Thailand

Mekong Tourism Coordinating Office 
c/o 3rd Floor, Department of Tourism, Ministry of Tourism and Sports, 154 Rama 1 Road
National Stadium, Wangmai, Pathumwan, Bangkok 10330, Thailand
Web: www.mekongtourism.org
Tel: +66 2038 5071-1
Mobile: +66 8555 44234, +66 8098 95853