TAT, tourism industry join to push low season travel

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TAT, tourism industry join to push low season travel
By Suchat Sritama
The Nation 2011-06-04

The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) and the private sector have plans in place to boost tourism in the low season.

This year the TAT will once again hold an Amazing Thailand Grand Sale, running from June 15 until August 15.

The national campaign aims to boost consumer spending at shops and department stores throughout the country in the low season.

TAT governor Suraphon Svetsreni said 15,000 participating shops would offer discounts of up to 80 per cent during the threemonth campaign. Revenue is expected to come in at around Bt1.9 billion.

The TAT will also hold a large sales fair from July 28 to 31 at Queen Sirikit National Convention Centre.

Suraphon said the Amazing Thailand Grand Sale would draw tourists from around the region including the Japanese market, which has been hit by the radiation crisis.

The TAT will invite Japanese operators to Thailand for the Thailand Travel Mart this month to meet with local operators in a bid to improve the Japanese market in the second half of the year.

Japan is the secondlargest marฌket for Thailand after Malaysia. Arrivals from Japan dropped 1.19 per cent last year. However, during the first four months of this year, 411,923 Japanese visited Thailand, 9 per cent up on the same period last year.

Meanwhile, Pro Exhibition Management Co plans to host Travel Expo Thailand from August 4 to 7 at Impact Muang Thong Thani.

The event is expected to draw 100,000 visitors from Bangkok and the provinces and generate revenue of Bt300 million.

The company's managing direcฌtor, Manuspong Akiemrot, said tourism operators involved would offer discounts on domestic and overseas packages of up to 80 per cent.

About 800 booths have been reserved at the event.