Thai tourism ministry wants budget doubled

TTG Asia e-Daily understands the ministry intends to use the money to develop Thailand as the tourism and sports nerve centre of ASEAN and Asia by next year and 2016 respectively.

Under the proposal, the Tourism Authority of Thailand has reportedly sought 8.3 billion baht, a 58.6 per cent increase over this year, to increase arrivals from regional markets and offset the anticipated slowdown in longhaul markets.

Thailand recorded 15.9 million visitor arrivals last year, a 12.4 per cent increase over the previous year. The travel trade, however, noted that hotels experienced a 15 to 20 per cent drop in business due to last year’s manifold crises.

The country welcomed 1.79 million arrivals in January, up 11.6 per cent over the same month last year.

(Sources: Bangkok, TTGAsia)