TAT launches "Amazing Thailand Go Local" campaign

BANGKOK, January 4 (TNA) - The state-run Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) has officially launched its new "Amazing Thailand Go Local" campaign in 2018, in which about 10 billion baht tourism-related revenues are expected to be generated nationwide throughout this year. TAT Governor Yuthasak Supasorn presided over a ceremony to launch the "Amazing Thailand Go Local" campaign at the TAT Headquarters in Bangkok on Thursday, announcing that the new campaign focuses on promoting local tourism in 55 Thai provinces across the country where at least 10 million international tourists are anticipated to visit throughout this year. Yuthasak said the new campaign is aimed to distribute more income to people in the 55 Thai provinces, as their tourist sites should welcome more international visitors in 2018 although they are not yet considered major tourist attractions. The TAT governor projected that at least 10 billion baht tourism-related revenues should be generated in the 55 Thai provinces throughout this year, thanks to a government tourism stimulus measure under which Thai taxpayers can each have their spending up to 15,000 baht in the provinces deducted from their personal income tax or corporate income tax for 2018. Cushioned by the government's stimulus measure and the campaign, the governor noted that TAT plans to adjust its projection on the proportions of international visitors to Thailand's major:minor tourist provinces to 65:35 later this year, from 70:30 expected earlier. To meet the target, the TAT governor revealed that seven major activities are being launched in the 55 provinces under the "Amazing Thailand Go Local" campaign, including "Enjoy local" to draw in more international tourists, "SET in the local" to promote meetings, incentives, conferences and exhibitions, or meetings, incentives, conventions and events (MICE) in the provinces, "Local link" to promote personal tours linking major and minor tourist destinations together, "Eat local" to promote local cuisine, "Our local" to promote local identity and unique culture, "Local heroes" to promote and develop local people and "Local strength" to strengthen local tourism. According to the TAT governor, the 55 Thai provinces under the new campaign comprise of 16 northern provinces, 18 northeastern provinces, eight central provinces, four eastern provinces and nine southern provinces, where international tourists will be comprehensively guided by a TAT manual or an e-book, set to be introduced and downloaded by next month, about suggested tourist sites, hotels, homestay resorts and lists of local business operators. (TNA)