Thailand's Ministry of Tourism and Sports aims to introduce travel packages to lure some two million expatriates in the country to travel locally.
The move aims to boost domestic tourism, with price promotions for accommodations and attractions equal to those offered to Thai tourists, Minister Phiphat Ratchakitprakarn said on Wednesday.
Phiphat said because of the present Covid-19 situation, foreign tourists were unable to visit the country, “so we decided to stimulate domestic tourism through foreign expatriates in our country”.
The ministry will also discuss with the prime minister the need to reduce ticket prices for expatriates who visit various attractions and national parks.
The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) expects the tourism sector to benefit to the tune of 10 billion baht ($320 million) from the expatriate travel package.
Governor Yuthasak Supasorn said TAT would issue special cards to expatriates to show at accommodations and attractions so they can avail of discounted prices.
Yuthasak also said that TAT aimed to increase revenue generated in the tourism industry this quarter.
The ministry reported that 6.7 million foreign tourists visited Thailand in the first half of the year – a decrease of 66 per cent compared to the same period last year. Cambodians accounted for 165,019.
THE NATION (THAILAND)/ASIA NEWS NETWORK