New tourism stimulus plans proposed

The Tourism and Sports Ministry plans to ask the cabinet to approve more stimulus measures, including a travel co-payment scheme via tour operators dubbed "Tour Thai Khon La Khrueng" and the "Buy International, Free Thailand Domestic Flights" programme.

- MOLPASORN SHOOWONG

Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul acknowledged these schemes during a meeting yesterday with five tourism associations, the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT), and Tourism and Sports Minister Artthakorn Sirilatthayakorn.

The associations comprised the Association of Thai Travel Agents (Atta), the Thai Hotels Association (THA), Tourism Council of Thailand (TCT), the Airlines Association of Thailand (AAT), and the Association of Domestic Travel (ADT).

Mr Artthakorn said the ministry will move forward with the remaining budget of 500 million baht from the domestic travel co-payment scheme that ended in October.

He said this budget will be shifted into a new stimulus to encourage domestic travellers to visit second-tier destinations via tour operators during the low season next year, roughly between March and June.

Another proposed stimulus is the free giveaway of domestic flights for 200,000 foreign tourists, which is also planned for next year's low season.

The scheme requires cabinet approval for an additional central budget, Mr Artthakorn said.