New tourism stimulus package

New tourism stimulus package

Deputy Prime Minister Somkid Jatusripitak, centre, discusses measures to boost tourism at the Finance Ministry in Bangkok on Thursday. (Photo by Kijja Apichonrujarek)
Deputy Prime Minister Somkid Jatusripitak, centre, discusses measures to boost tourism at the Finance Ministry in Bangkok on Thursday. (Photo by Kijja Apichonrujarek)

New measures will be announced next month to woo tourists back to Thailand, especially visitors from China, in the lead up to the New Year, Deputy Prime Minister Somkid Jatusripitak said on Thursday.

The cabinet would approve a stimulus package in the second half of November. It would be effective until the end of December, he said.

The measures would involve the Tourism Authority of Thailand, the Finance Ministry and Thai Airways International.

"They will attract as many visitors as possible late this year, when many other countries will also be courting tourists," Mr Somkid said. The measures would target mainly Chinese tourists, for the sake of national income.

The deputy prime minister said he would visit China early next month to encourge Chinese investment and tourism in Thailand.

The planned exemption of the 2,000-baht visa-on-arrival fee, along with double-entry visas, would be implemented in a few months, Mr Somkid said.

He also said that if the ongoing trade war resulted in global economic recession, the government would not allow any further delays to its mega investment projects. They were necessary for the economy.

Many of the projects planned for this year had already been delayed and rescheduled for the first quarter of 2019, he said. There could be no further delays.

Do you like the content of this article?
COMMENT (30)