TRAVEL NEWS

Tourism and sports minister plans roadshow

10 Oct 2006, Suvit Yodmani, the new Tourism and Sports Minister, is planning a roadshow to promote Thailand's tourist destinations as arrivals this year will likely fall short of expectations.

Prolonged political conflicts, unrest in the violence-wracked southern provinces and problems in the operations of Suvarnabhumi Airport had derailed the country's hopes of welcoming 13.5 million foreign tourist arrivals this year, Mr Suvit said. The government is also unlikely to meet its target of 450 billion baht in tourist spending this year.

Next year, a more stable political environment should boost the tourism industry, he added.

The ministry planned to clarify the current political situation to foreign tour operators and tourists to restore their confidence in Thailand, Mr Suvit said.

The minister said his tourism policy would not aim merely at making revenue, but would also focus on preserving natural resources. Therefore, he planned to talk with other agencies about rehabilitating natural tourism spots.

The ministry will take about three months to find a new governor of the Tourism Authority of Thailand to succeed Juthamas Siriwan, who retired last month.

Source: phuketgazette.net

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