22 Million Baht Budget to Promote Local Tourism

Pattaya Mayor Itthiphol Kunplome said at the recent Thai Hotels Association Eastern Chapter (THA-EC) meeting, “We have been hosting activities and events continuously with the aim of attracting 40% more tourists during the high season. We have also asked the government to lift the emergency decree in Chonburi which has already been done. We have discussed with travel agencies in the area in ways we could make foreigners feel safe traveling to Thailand. One of the solutions that we came up with is to encourage tourists to buy travel insurance. We have made deals with several travel insurance companies to give discounts and special family packages to travelers.”

“In addition, the Chonburi Provincial Council has recently granted 10 million baht and Pattaya City will put in another 12 million baht to help promote tourism and fund activities and events in Pattaya. At the moment we are in the process of negotiating with the event organizers.”

“As for the promotional plan for 2011, the Chonburi Provincial Council is going to conduct road shows in Seoul and Busan, Korean, in Iran as the Middle East market is a fast growing market, in Indonesia and Vietnam. We also have plans to join the trade shows in Cambodia, Germany and Russia,” added Pattaya Mayor Itthiphol.