Many tourists in Bangkok visit the Grand Palace and the Temple of the Emerald Buddha. (Photo: Bangkokpost)Bangkok (VNA) – The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) has set up aplan to attract visitors from the Association of Southeast Asian Nations(ASEAN) following a research forecasting the number of ASEAN arrivals to reach10 million this year.
Thailand has opened 30 overland border checkpoints for international visitorsfrom Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar, and Malaysia. There are four friendship bridgeswith Laos and two with Myanmar and many are under plan.
For air connectivity, many low-cost airlines in Vietnam, China, Japan,Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore, the Republic of Korea, Taiwan (China) and HongKong (China) have offered services to Thailand’s tourist destinations likeBangkok, Phuket and Chiang Mai.
Meanwhile, marine connectivity is on the rise, with Phuket, Pattaya and KohSamio home to a number of cruise and yachting marinas. Ferries to connectingwith Malaysia are growing and is expected to grow with Indonesia, Cambodia andMyanmar in the coming time.
In order to boost ASEAN arrivals, the tourism authority has launched a travelmanual called “Experience Thailand and More”, focusing on four key experiences:ASEAN history, natural trail, culture trail and adventure trail.
The TAT is cooperating with Vietjet Group to open direct flights from Vietnamto Thailand, probably from Ho Chi Minh City to Khon Kaen to enhance travelmovement.
It is also emphasising niche markets such as weddings, honeymoons and femalevisitors.
The Thai Government targets to attract 37 million foreign visitors and earn 92billion USD in tourism revenue in 2018.-VNA
VNA
