24 provinces to be promoted in 2018
Campaign hoped to extend tourist stays
Twenty-four second-tier provinces will be highlighted in next year’s “Diversity Amazing” tourism campaign.
The Tourism and Sports Ministry will continue to promote tourism in these 24 secondtier provinces, said Tourism and Sports Minister Kobkarn Wattanavrangkul.
The provinces’ distinct cultures and products will be the main theme of the Diversity Amazing campaign, which will drive local communities’ incomes by extending tourists’ stays.
The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) launched a similar campaign entitled “12 Cities You Don’t Want to Miss” in 2015. The programme highlighted Lampang, Phetchabun, Nan, Buri Ram, Loei, Samut Songkhram, Ratchaburi, Trat, Chantaburi, Trang, Chumphon and Nakhon Sri Thammarat.
Twelve more provinces were added to the programme last year. Lamphun, Phrae, Phitsanulok, Chaiyaphum, Surin, Suphan Buri, Nakhon Pathom, Sa Kaeo, Rayong, Ranong, Satun and Phattalung were added to the previous programme, which was reintroduced as “12 Cities You Don’t Want to Miss Plus”.
TAT governor Yuthasak Supasorn said the number of visitors to these 12 cities increased by 20% in 2015. The influx increased tourism revenue by 11% from 2014. TAT will soon evaluate the 2016 performance, he added.
Ratchaburi governor Chaiwat Chuenkosum said the province plans to promote unique local products like handicrafts, textiles, cycling, puppet shows, greenhouses and organic farms, in order to attract more visitors and boost tourism revenue.
“In Ratchaburi, tourism revenue grew by 14.24% per year during 2013-15 — above the country’s 10.25% average growth rate in that same period,” Mr Chaiwat said. “Tourists’ per-trip spending in the province also increased 8.12%, which compares favourably with the country’s average of 3.05%.”
According to Mrs Kobkarn, Ubon Ratchathani has the potential to promote smaller cities in the Northeast as tourism destinations.
Ubon Ratchathani’s airport is linked with Chiang Mai, Hat Yai, Surat Thani and other major cities. The city’s renovated checkpoints also facilitate cross-border tourism.
The province is also promoting sport tourism. For example, its June Olympic Day Run attracted more than 60,000 runners from 100 countries. Its Candle Festival, held last week, drew more than 60,000 local tourists and 8,000 foreigners.
More than 658,833 visitors travelled into Ubon Ratchathani during the first quarter of 2017, a 4.5% increase for the same period last year.
“The province will attract over 3 million tourists this year, who will generate a total 6 billion baht in revenue,” Mrs Kobkarn said.
Kanit Sangsuphan, secretary-general of the Eastern Economic Corridor Office, said Pattaya’s U-tapao airport will become the third international airport in the country after the government’s expansion.
The airport will add capacity for 15 million passengers per year in the next five years, and will strengthen tourism in second-tier provinces like Rayong, Chon Buri, Trat and Chantaburi,” Mr Kanit said.