In a bid to transform Thailand into a premier tourism destination, Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin has unveiled a comprehensive strategy aimed at positioning the country as a global hub for travelers by 2025. The initiative, titled ‘Ignite Tourism Thailand,’ encompasses a series of ambitious plans geared towards boosting the economy and elevating Thailand’s standing on the international tourism stage.
During a recent address, Prime Minister Thavisin reiterated the government’s commitment to making Thailand a leading destination for tourists worldwide. He outlined the target of generating 3.5 trillion Baht in tourism revenue this year, with an eye towards surpassing this figure in the years to come.
The ‘Ignite Tourism Thailand’ initiative is built upon five key strategies developed following the ‘Ignite Thailand’s Tourism Workshop’ held in Bangkok on March 15, 2024. These strategies include:
Elevating Tourist Experience: Implementing measures to enhance tourism information and promotion, ensuring travelers can plan informed visits. Safety and convenience will be prioritized through initiatives like the “Tourism for All” campaign and a dedicated Tourist Police Hotline.
Five Must-Do Activities: Highlighting quintessential Thai experiences such as Muay Thai, Thai cuisine, cultural exploration, Thai fabric shopping, and traditional performances to enrich the tourist experience.
Travel Linkage Between Major and Hidden-Gem Destinations: Promoting travel routes that connect well-known cities with lesser-known gems to distribute tourist arrivals and income more evenly across urban and rural areas.
Hub of ASEAN: Initiatives to promote intra-regional travel within ASEAN countries, introducing the ASEAN Pass, and facilitating cross-border QR payments to enhance ASEAN’s appeal as a unified tourism destination.
World-Class Event Hub: Introducing incentives to attract major festivals, concerts, and events to Thailand, positioning the country as a premier venue for global gatherings.
Tourism and Sports Minister Sudawan Wangsuphakijkosol emphasized the significance of these strategies in aligning with the government’s broader vision to establish Thailand as a global aviation hub, projected to serve over 150 million air travelers annually by 2030.
The unveiling of these strategies comes at a time when Thailand is already experiencing significant growth in tourism. From January to April 2024, the country recorded 9.4 million visitor arrivals, representing a notable 42% increase compared to the same period in 2023.
Prime Minister Thavisin expressed confidence that the ‘Ignite Tourism Thailand’ initiative will propel Thailand to new heights as a tourism powerhouse, attracting more visitors and bolstering the country’s economy in the process.
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