Thailand’s Tourism and Sports Minister Phiphat Ratchakitprakarn said domestic travellers will continue to be a major market for at least the first four months of 2021.
Tourists take sunset pictures at Promthep Cape in Phuket, Thailand. (Photo: BangkokPost)
Bangkok (VNA) – Thailand’s Tourism andSports Minister Phiphat Ratchakitprakarn said domestic travellers will continueto be a major market for at least the first four months of 2021.
Speaking at the Tourism Council of Thailand meetingon December 25, Phiphat said tourism operators should not stop thinking aboutplans to attract the foreign market as it remains a vital source for tourism.
But to mention those plans out loud now may not beappropriate as Thailand is still struggling with a new wave of infections.
Phiphat said the summer season next year could be agood time to revive negotiations on travel bubbles with other countries as thepandemic is believed to be more controllable with warmer weather. Differentcountries have learned various methods to curb the outbreak while balancingtheir economic priorities, he said.
In the cabinet meeting scheduled for December 29,the Tourism and Sports Ministry is to propose a 5-billion-baht (166 millionUSD) stimulus campaign for senior travellers aged 55 and above that could helpincrease liquidity for tour operators because the scheme will require eligibletourists to buy tour packages only from operators, said Phiphat.
The Tourism Authority of Thailand also plans toannounce the extension of the subsidy scheme for 1 million room nights forlocal travellers, despite the ongoing probe into fraud.
Moreover, if there is budget left over after thestimulus programmes expire in April, the ministry will work with the privatesector, finding new stimulus projects or activities to maintain the momentum ofthe domestic market./.
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Tourists take sunset pictures at Promthep Cape in Phuket, Thailand. (Photo: BangkokPost) 
