Flower fest draws tourists
January 26, 2012 by Wanwisa Ngamsangchaikit
Filed under Festivals, News, Thailand
CHIANG MAI, 26 January 2012: Chiang Mai’s international horticulture expo, known as Royal Flora Ratchaphruek, has attracted more than 1 million visitors, according to Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperative.
Agriculture and Cooperative Minister, Theera Wongsamut, said since the royal flora opened its doors, 14 December until 25 January, there were 1,246,973 visitors based on ticket sales.
“This is a great performance for just one month so we can attract far more than we had earlier anticipated,” he said during his update yesterday.
Ticket sales soared during New Year celebrations with 57,771 visits on 31 December alone and this was bettered, 1 January, with a record 72,641 visits.
Based on the performance so far the ministry believes as many as 2 million people will visit the show generating Bt283 million in revenue by 14 March.
The flower festival is part of the celebrations for the 84th birthday of His Majesty the King, the 80th birthday of Her Majesty the Queen in August and the 60th birthday of His Royal Highness the Crown Prince this July.
Assessing the festival’s performance, Maejo University’s polled 450 Chiang Mai residents (43.8% male and 56.2% female) during 25 December 2011 to 6 January 2012.
Of the 450 interviewed, 93.3% said Chiang Mai success this year was based on experience gained during the 2006 event.
In addition, 96.2% of those interviewed said the festival would help to promote the province and circulate the benefits of tourism beyond the city.
A small 3.8% of respondents said the exhibition would not encourage tourism as public relations activities were limited and ticket prices too high.
Poll recommendations:
61.6% required better public transport to the site;
55.8% suggested more discount promotions and lower prices for food and drinks at the exhibition;
42.4% asked for a better site map to make it easier to identify a visit the exhibits.
The expo site covers 752,000 sqm with an outdoor area set aside for at least five countries to exhibit their garden flowers and additional area for over 30 countries registered at the event.
The 2nd Royal Flora Ratchaphruek is being held at the Royal Agricultural Research Centre, Mae Hia sub district, Muang district in Chiang Mai.
There’s a clue here as to how Thais go about statistics. 42 days becomes “just one month”.
Seriously, do you know anyone who has seen this show? Neither do I………..
One thing that has always floored me is the Thai habit, when answering a statistical question, of prefacing a very precise answer with “about”.
Q “How much is this clock?”
A “About 935 baht”.
Q “How many people attended the conference?”
A “About 1,279.”
Q “What is the capacity of the petrol tank?”
A “About 67.83 litres”.
Why is this so? It drives me nuts.