TAT looks to put Songkran stamp on provinces
Second-tier locations getting in on festivities
The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) is promoting Songkran in five secondary provinces in a bid to boost visitor numbers to less-popular tourist destinations.
The five provinces being touted for Songkran this year are Kalasin, Chanthaburi, Kamphaeng Phet, Sing Buri and Nakhon Sri Thammarat, said governor Yuthasak Supasorn.
Promoting the festival is these secondary provinces will help draw more visitors to those areas and pave the way for the provinces to run annual events, he said.
“This year, the government and the TAT will also invite Thai people and foreign tourists to wear traditional Thai costumes while visiting attractions, particularly temples and historical sites,” Mr Yuthasak said.
The TAT will continue to organise Songkran in big provinces such as Chiang Mai, Ayutthaya, Khon Kaen, Samut Prakan, Phuket and Sukhothai.
Meanwhile, celebrations in Bangkok will be carried out in tourist hotspots like Khao San and Silom roads.
The TAT expects Thai people to make 3 million domestic trips during Songkran, which starts next Thursday. That figure would represent a 12% increase year-onyear, generating income of 10 billion baht, up 15%.
Factors for growth are the extension of the holiday period to five days this year (April 12-16) and the government’s tax deduction for those who visit 55 secondary provinces.
The TAT estimates that 530,000 foreigners will travel to Thailand during Songkran, a 13% increase from last year. Tourism during the period should generate 9.37 billion baht, up 21% year-on-year.
More than 165,000 Chinese travellers are projected to visit Thailand during the festival, with estimated spending exceeding 19.82 billion baht.
Apart from promoting domestic tourism during Songkran, the TAT aims to promote local travel throughout the year by encouraging working-class people to take more holidays.
Noppadon Pakprot, deputy governor for domestic marketing, said the agency’s research has shown that working too hard will damage health and creativity, eventfully affecting productivity, so striking an appropriate work-life balance is key.
The TAT has thus launched the “Take a Break” campaign to boost domestic travel among working people.
“Take a break and return refreshed and refocused on what is important in life,” Mr Noppadon said.
According to recent survey findings, the top 10 cities touted by Thai workers are Chiang Rai, Mae Hong Son, Nan, Ranong, Chumphon, Trang, Phetchabun, Satun, Trat and Chanthaburi.
Other popular destinations are Ratchaburi, Nakhon Sri Thammarat, Ubon Ratchathani, Udon Thani, Nakhon Nayok, Prachin Buri, Samut Songkhram, Uthai Thani, Sukhothai and Phitsanulok.
To encourage Thai people to travel domestically, TAT partners like Thai Airways International, Thai Smile, TrueYou, Budget Car, Traveligo.com and Love Andaman Alliance are offering airfare packages and discounts for hotels and rental cars.
The campaign will run throughout the year.