07/09/2020

NEW PLANS TO BOOST LONG DISTANCE DOMESTIC TOURISM

The governor of the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) Yuthasak Supasorn, plans to increase offers under the government's Rao Tiew Duay Kan (We Travel Together) campaign to spur long-distance domestic travel and generate income for local businesses.

This follows the 'Phuket Model' an international travel scheme scheduled for this month likely to be put on hold due to a local covid-19 case the first in over 3 months, and a less than robust four-day weekend in Phuket with hotel occupancy recorded at just 30% and estimated spending at around 8.8 billion baht.

The public holidays on Friday, September 4, and Monday, September 7, are replacements for the Songkran festival that was cancelled in April as a result of the "pandemic". The traditional water throwing that the songkhran festival is known for was strictly prohibeted across the country.

Under the campaign, the government subsidises five million nights of hotel accommodation at 40% of normal room rates, with the subsidy limited to 3,000 baht per night for up to five nights per person. Tourists will be responsible for the other 60% of lodging cost.

When tourists travel by airline, the government will refund 40% of the ticket price, but no more than 1,000 baht per seat per person and the quota is limited to 2 million seats.

According to Mr Yuthasak, the number of nights will be increased to 10 from the current five and the refund of air tickets will be increased to 2,000 baht. 

"This is hoped to encourage more people to embark on long-distance domestic travel.Currently they choose destinations within one to three hours away by car" he said.