Thai coastal province to draft new tourism plan

PRACHUAP KHIRI KHAN, Mar 15, 2022, Bangkok Post. A new strategy to revive tourism in this popular coastal province will be drafted, after it has been hard hit by the Covid-19 pandemic over the past two years, the provincial governor said on Tuesday, Bangkok Post reported.

Sathian Charoenrian said Covid-19 has caused a significant decrease to tourist arrivals and consequently revenue from tourism, and authorities must figure out ways to draw back tourists to the province.

Last year, international tourists contributed just 36 million baht to the province’s income — down from 1.85 billion baht reported in 2020. Domestic tourism revenue in 2021 also dropped to 10.5 billion baht — down from 16.1 billion baht in 2020 and 28.6 billion baht in 2019.

The province needs a comprehensive strategy to revitalise its tourism, with every district having been instructed to reassess its tourism potential and come up with new activities and products to cater to both local and international visitors, the governor said.

“We expect travel activities to pick up once Covid-19 is classified as an endemic disease,” Mr Sathian said.

The tourism promotion strategy, the governor said, will focus on three areas, namely Hua Hin-Pran Buri, Sam Roi Yot-Kui Buri-Muang, and Thap Sakae-Bang Saphan-Bang Saphan Noi.

The campaign will promote one-night and two-night stays in these areas to spur economic activities. The packages will cater to the needs of different groups, including families, young travellers and senior citizens, he added.

In the northern province of Chiang Mai, 20 more districts will be opened to more visitors in a bid to stimulate the local economy, said provincial deputy governor Sakchai Kunanuwatchaidet.

Mr Sakchai said on Tuesday that these districts will submit their reopening plans to the Centre for Covid-19 Situation Administration later this week.

He said he hoped the reopening of the entire province will be in time for Songkran celebrations in the middle of April.