Tourism stimulus to start Oct 29

Domestic travel in line for a boost

- SRISAMORN PHOOSUPHANUSORN

The finance minister has confirmed his readiness to launch domestic tourism stimulus measures on Oct 29, in an effort to entice 1.15 trillion baht in domestic travel revenue and accelerate Thailand's economic recovery.

The ministry is expected to submit a series of domestic tourism stimulus packages to the economic cabinet tomorrow, then send them to the cabinet on Oct 21 for approval.

"The tourism measures will be enacted simultaneously with the 'Khon La Khrueng Plus' co-payment scheme from Oct 29 to Dec 31", said Finance Minister Ekniti Nitithanprapas.

"Enacting both the co-payment and tourism stimulus measures at the same time will make the country's economy more lively."

Under the administration's "Quick Big Win" framework, which seeks short-term results that can lead to long-term sustainable development, the domestic tourism stimulus package is expected to lift GDP, said Mr Ekniti, also a deputy prime minister.

TOURISM STIMULUS

Under the scheme, he identified three measures to quickly stimulate the local tourism industry.

First is a package for seminar-driven tourism in secondary cities. Government organisations and state-owned enterprises are entitled to a corporate income tax exemption for expenses for organising seminars for their employees in areas designated as secondary tourism provinces, or other tourism areas as prescribed by the government.