The Tourism and Sports Ministry will continue its plan to promote Thailand as a sports tourism hub in Asean.
Tourism and Sports Minister Kobkarn Wattanavrangkul said the effort includes issuing information about racing venues and sports fields, as well as assembling guidebooks for the ITB Berlin travel show in March.
"This process is a part of the marketing campaign under the sports tourism strategy, and I believe it will enhance the country's competitiveness in hosting sports competitions," Mrs Kobkarn said.
Recently updated marketing campaigns aim to drive Thailand's sports tourism in four aspects.
First, large events supported by the Thai government such as Air Race 1, a high-speed jet competition.
Second, elevating the quality of international sports competitions such as the Chiang Mai Marathon, which last had 6,200 participants from 53 countries. The Khon Kaen Marathon had 36,000 participants from 46 countries, while the Bangkok Marathon last drew 37,000 people from 60 countries. International jet ski competitions are also included in this category.
Third, promoting local sports to stimulate domestic tourism as there are many local sports competitions that can lure people to spend money.
Fourth, promoting sports entertainment by partnering with the Physical Education Department and private sports training companies such as Thanyapura in Phuket, and Singha Academy in Khon Kaen province.
Mrs Kobkarn reiterated that the ministry will be a key driver in helping promote sports tourism to create sports dream destinations.
There were 4.55 million international arrivals during Jan 1-Feb 15, up 3.7% year-on-year, generating 240 billion baht, an increase of 7%.
The biggest spenders came from China, Russia, the US, Malaysia and South Korea.
The Tourism Authority of Thailand yesterday also launched its new tourism campaign, 12 Hidden Gems Plus, with an aim to promote destinations in Lamphun, Phrae, Chaiyaphum, Phitsanulok, Surin, Suphan Buri, Nakhon Pathom, Rayong, Ranong, Satun and Phatthalung.
The project follows the success of the 12 Hidden Gems project that helped inject over 3.5 billion baht in tourism revenue to these secondary tourist destinations, according to Kasikorn Research Center.