Friday, March 8, 2024
The “Amazing Thailand Networking Event with the Prime Minister of Thailand” was orchestrated by the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) and took place on March 7, 2024, at CityCube Berlin, during ITB Berlin 2024. Prime Minister Srettha emphasized tourism’s pivotal role in socio-economic advancement and unveiled plans to elevate the Thai tourism sector, targeting a revenue of 90.36 billion euros for the year. This includes 59.38 billion euros from international tourism, with 17.15 billion euros in earnings and 8.5 million visitors from Europe, Africa, and the Middle East.
He highlighted recent enhancements to travel convenience, such as visa waivers for visitors from India, Russia, Kazakhstan, and Taiwan, and a reciprocal visa exemption with China. Negotiations are ongoing for a Schengen visa waiver with the EU and an ASEAN “One Visa, Free your Destination” agreement.
The Prime Minister encouraged tourists to venture into secondary destinations to experience local cultures and hidden treasures beyond popular cities like Bangkok and Chiang Mai. He shared insights from his travels to various unique localities.
Plans to extend entertainment venue hours and liberalize alcohol sales regulations were also discussed, building on recent extensions of operation hours in major tourist spots and reduced liquor taxes.
Prime Minister Srettha underscored the importance of “Thai Soft Power” in tourism strategies, leveraging Thailand’s vibrant festivals to establish it as a premier festival locale. The “Maha Songkran World Water Festival” is set to celebrate its UNESCO recognition, with incentives to attract international festivals, concerts, and events to Thailand.
Furthermore, he envisioned Thailand becoming Southeast Asia’s aviation nexus within the decade, detailing upgrades and expansions of current airports, and the construction of two new ones: Lanna International Airport in Chiang Mai and Andaman International Airport in Phang-nga. He stressed enhancing ground service efficiency and safety standards to support growing passenger numbers and announced discussions to expand flight services and routes to Thailand. The TAT’s “Air-mazing Thailand: The Amazing Airlines Fam Trip” aims to highlight Thailand’s extensive aviation potential.
“With the investment and commitment from the government, Thailand is poised to see an explosive growth in the tourism sector in the coming years. We want to encourage travellers to embrace their experiences, share their travel stories in Thailand that will turn into lifelong memories, and inspire others around the world to seek endless journeys in Thailand,” Prime Minister Srettha concluded.
The Prime Minister of Thailand presided over the Amazing Thailand Networking Event, which saw attendance from over 200 European and Thai tour operators and members of the media.
Additionally, the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) leveraged the occasion to debut their latest TV commercial, “Amazing Thailand: Your Stories Never End,” at ITB Berlin 2024. This new campaign aims to enrich travelers’ journeys in Thailand with unforgettable experiences, transforming them into storytellers who share their unique tales and inspire others to explore Thailand, fostering a cycle of endless discovery and storytelling.
Sunday, April 28, 2024
Sunday, April 28, 2024
Monday, April 29, 2024
