One of them is a wedding ceremony aboard an elephant in Surin province and the other uses a venue at Bua Daeng Like (Red Lotus) in Udon Thani.

TAT officials released details of the two options, Tuesday, ahead of mass wedding ceremonies that will be held at the venues 11 to 14 February.

The business strategy is fuzzy as most of the couples participating in the two mass wedding ceremonies are technically not tourists. They are mainly resident in the provinces.

Unlike the popular underwater weddings in Trang that attracts international participants, officials could not confirm if  any international tourists were taking part in the ceremonies.

An official told TTR Weekly it was a good opportunity to showcase a traditional wedding ceremony and to add an attraction to encourage tourists to spend time in Isan.

The first to kick off is a mass wedding  at Bua Daeng lake in Kumphawapi district, Udon Thani where 40 couples will register their marriages, 11 February, at the TAT Udon Thani before the couples join a tricycle parade through town.

On 12 February the couples will participate in a traditional wedding ceremony at the lake.

“This is the first time we have used Bua Daeng lake,” said Udon Thani deputy governor, Saroj Sangaroon. “Our main purpose is to promote the lake and its surrounding area as a tourist spot,” he added.

In Surin, the mass wedding on an elephant’s back will be attract 55 couples, 13 to 15 February. The actual ceremony will be held 14 February when the couples will register their marriages at the Ban Ta Klang Elephant Village, Tha Tum district in Surin province.

“It is our sixth year organising this kind of mass wedding,” said Surin deputy governor, Yutthana Viriyakitti. “We hope it will help to promote Surin and we believe using elephants for the ceremony is unique to Surin,” he added.

Ban Ta Klang Elephant Village, Tha Tum district in Surin province is well-known for its annual Surin Elephant Round-up that has been hosted annually in November for 50 years.

The village’s elephants were traditionally  used as limousines for the would-be groom to travel to the bride’s home to ask for her hand in marriage.

Surin is around 500 km from Bangkok in the lower Isan area and Udon Thani is around 600 km due north in the upper Isan region, 100 km south of Nong Khai.

Mozambique’s Ambassador to Thailand, Carlos Agostinho do Rosario, discussed with Mr Chumpol tourism cooperation between the two countries.

Mr do Rosario asked Mr Chumpol for assistance from Thailand to offer guidelines to promote the island nation’s tourism.

During the meeting, Mr Chumpol stated tourist arrivals to Thailand this year will exceed 20 million.

“But one of the government’s strategies is to spur tourist expenditure during their stay in Thailand in order to increase local people’s income,” Mr Chumpol added.

Thailand and Mozambique established diplomatic relations 16 April 1989.

There so few Mozambique citizens visiting Thailand it fails to warrant a mention in statistics collected by Thailand’s Immigration Department. Likewise, Thai travel to Mozambique is too small to be included in Mozambique’s tourism data.

The country’s main attractions are beach resorts that appeal to tourists from South Africa, the UK and Germany.

The island nation introduced a tourism law in 2004 and has a tourism strategic plan running up to the 2013,  published to attract more investment in hotels and infrastructure.

The country is often mentioned by  international media with reference to piracy in the Indian Ocean, but was praised recently by the US government for its support of  international co-operation to deal with the problem.

However, despite warnings triggered off by the US, 13 January, the country’s travel agency association reported trips by American citizens grew by more than 26% in January.

Ministry of Foreign Affairs permanent secretary, Sihasak Phuangketkeow, said the ministry met with ambassadors of more than 40 countries, 3 February to brief them on security in the country.

The US issued the initial warning prompting 19 nations to follow with cautions on travelling to Bangkok.

None of the warnings were identified as red alerts that recommend travellers to postpone travel, but they did point to potential threats in Bangkok and the need to be watchful or stay away from crowded places.

Mr Sihasak added: “More stringent security measures have been implemented to restore confidence in the country at all levels. Visitor safety is being taken seriously.”

The nine countries still recommending caution when visiting Bangkok are: the United Kingdom; Australia; Austria; Taiwan, South Korea; Italy; Japan; Romania and Canada.

Ten countries that revoked the alert earlier than the US included China, Israel, Greece, Germany, France, Norway, Brazil, Netherlands and Denmark.

“Japan,  a top  market, is waiting official confirmation from Thailand on the security status before it will revoke its warning,” Mr Sihasak explained.

He urged the remaining countries to review their alerts based on the current situation in Thailand and the Thai government’s handling of the matter.

“We know Australia is preparing to revoke the alert, while the UK has made it clear that it will not change the warning as it is informing citizens of potential threats.”

However,  there are signs that tourism is making a fast recovery, while travel executives said the more damaging factor was last year’s floods in terms of revenue lost to the industry.

Association of Thai Travel Agents, which collects data from its members who handle international tourists at Suvarnabhumi Airport, reported there were declines in clients requiring meet-and-greet services at the airport  after 13 January.

ATTA identifies decline in business from 10 countries in January

In contrast, the United States warning alert had no impact on ATTA member business. Travel agents serviced 2,599 trips from the US in first month of the year up 26.47% from 2,055 trips in the same month last year.

China remained strong improving of 69.18% to 66,927 trips compared to 39,560 trips in 2010.

Association of Thai Travel Agents president, Sisdivachr Cheewarattanaporn, told TTR Weekly that the categories and breakdown for tourist arrivals needed to be improved.

“I don’t want to comment on collection itself because the tourism ministry has a duty to build the country’s image and that is a factor when collecting data,” he said.

Sisdivachr Cheewarattanaporn

“Whatever we recommend the result as we know will be the same.”

But he touched on the controversy saying the ministry should be mindful that it has a responsibility to support the industry and to achieve that classification and data interpretation should be clear to strengthen travel agency marketing plans and strategy.

“The private needs the department to divide tourist arrivals into categories to gain a real tourism business figure rather than just counting all the people who pass through the border checkpoints as is the case now.”

There is has been consistent criticism of the ministry’s ability to deliver credible and accurate tourism data and so far ministry officials have declined to comment.

Some of the categories that travel agencies would like to see in the data fields includes FIT, group tours, VFRs, business, investment, meeting and incentive as well as niche market travellers such as weddings where one of the partners is Thai.

Maiyarat Pheerayakoses

Association of Domestic Travel president, Maiyarat Pheerayakoses, said the tourism department’s data is limited in scope and needs to be upgraded.

“The tourism department collects tourist data according to theory, while we need detailed information that can be used to supplement the data supplied by Thai Hotel Association and Association of Thai Travel Agents that run their own accurate research.”

Association leaders admit there is a gap between the tourism department’s figures and the reality in the business market.

“Although tour operators need to use the tourism department’s data to make marketing plans, we still need in-depth data that gives us background on the real tourists not every person who crosses borders,” Ms Maiyarat said.

Tourism Council of Thailand president Piyaman Tejapaibul admitted there is a lot of controversy over tourism data, but the TCT still “respects the tourism department criteria” based on United Nation World Tourism Organisation guidelines.

Piyaman Tejapaibul

“I think tourist arrivals data collected can be trusted because the ministry is using the same company, Excellent Business Management Company Limited, that worked for the Tourism Authority of Thailand before the transfer of responsibilities in 2008.”

TCT president added: “If there are adjustments in the tourism collecting data method it has to comply with Ministry of Interior law.”

The council says it has set up a committee to work with the tourism department to check the accuracy of data as well finds way to build creditability with the private sector.

KRC research said key factors leading to recovery included the cancellation of a Chinese travel advisory as well as efforts to improve security for Chinese visitors.

Visits should increase 10% during the first quarter to reach 530,000 visitors (+11%) and generate Bt16 billion in revenue (+20%).

The bank also recommended that tour operators spend more time monitoring Chinese tourist preferences to improve future marketing and product plans.

Younger Chinese travellers are also visiting Thailand a relatively new trend that should continue.

Other suggestions for tour operators were:

• Create products specifically for Chinese tourists rather than adapting those from other markets;

• Partner with tourism operators in China to exchange information and business plans;

• Study technology and the rules that apply in China as there are government controls on access to social media such as Google, Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, Foursquare and Yahoo which could impact on promotions that use these tools.

Identified as MICE 101 it will help prepare students for the upcoming ASEAN Economic Community 2015.

TCEB president, Akapol Sorasuchart, said MICE 101 will introduce students to corporate meetings, incentive activities, international conventions and international exhibitions and trade show management.

Akapol Sorasuchart

“Education is a critical to meet the competitive challenges of a liberalised market in 2015,” he said at the launch of the project earlier this week.

The course breaks down into three areas: Overview of Thailand’s MICE industry; event management; and a wrap up of side issues impacting on the industry.”

The curriculum also covers industry ethnics and governance.

The curriculum will be piloted at four universities for the new academic year 2012. They are: Mahidol University International College; Prince of Songkhla University; Ban Somdej Chaopraya Rajabhat University and Siam University.

It will form part of the first and second year foundation course for undergraduates.

Education plays a pivotal role in TCEB projects this year.

They include:

• A MICE Working Committee to build skills in Thailand’s MICE sector;

• Develop a research report on the implications of AEC on the MICE sector;

• Organise workshops in cooperation with event players in Bangkok, Pattaya, Chiang Mai, Phuket, Hat Yai, Khon Kaen, Phitsanulok and Ubon Ratchathani;

• Focus on professional training.

In response to constant travel industry criticism that its data lacked credibility, TTR Weekly forwarded questions to a Department of Tourism official who asked not to be identified.

Officially, the department declined to be drawn into a debate on data collection.

The department official confirmed that all of its data is derived from Immigration Bureau statistics collected at over 30 border checkpoints across the country.

The ministry does not collect independent data.

Data collected from the immigration bureau at Suvarnabhumi Airport represents 60% to 70% of all arrivals.

Addressing specific complaints on reliability of data, the official said the process was no different than was employed by all member countriess of the UNWTO.

“We follow the UNWTO procedures and condition based on the criteria that the foreign tourist passing through a border checkpoint is not coming to work in Thailand or is categorised as a resident.”

The source confirmed that the data does not include UN officials, ambassadors, and airline cabin attendants and flight crews.

The Department of Tourism has hired Excellent Business Management Company Limited to process the raw data from the Immigration Bureau. It collates the percentages, market and nationality breakdown.

In an on-going programme, teams hired by the department interview a sampling of 2% of each nationality identified in the tourist arrival data. Interviews are conducted at the Airport of Thailand’s six airports including Suvarnabhumi, Don Mueang, Chiang Mai, Hat Yai, Phuket, and Mae Fah Luang-Chiang Rai. Interviews are done at tourist attractions to collect behaviour, length of stay, and spending per head information.

From these interviews , the department arrives at estimate on revenue for tourism in Thailand.

The interview method is also used to estimate Thai outbound trends at those airports and border check points to collect its tourism movement information.

On the domestic front Thai tourists are interviewed at tourist attractions in 77 provinces based on the criteria that the person interviewed comes from another province.

In an on the record interview, the Department of Tourism director general, Supol Sripan, said Bt30 million will be spent ( overall budget Bt2,624 million) to tighten up and build depth into statistical collection.

“The project focuses on collecting tourist expenditure, number of tourist at accommodation facilities and building data on average room prices,”

Mr Supol added: “This data should benefit tour operators to build a tourism marketing plan or promotions.”

It will take three years to get to that point.

In 2008, the Department of Tourism took over the tourist data from the Tourism Authority of Thailand.

However, criticism of the department’s figures has been constant. On this website, readers have blogged data stories challenging the accuracy of national statistics on tourism. The Ministry of Tourism has so far declined comment.

TAT assumed sole ownership of the debt-ridden operator Thailand Privilege Card company, last year, under a directive from the previous government, but it needs the current government to sign off on the decision to close the company.

Thailand Privilege Card was established to manage the Thailand Elite Card, which was supposed to be an exclusive lifetime benefit card, priced at Bt1 million, for multi-millionaires visiting Thailand.

TAT governor, Surapol Svetasreni, confirmed once the Thai government grants approval it will take 90 days to start the closure process.

“TAT will present a plan to the Cabinet this March and start staff  lay-off within 90 days after approval. Only 10 staff are involved in TPC.”

But it might not be that easy. The TAT governor hinted that if cardholders sued the company closure may be delayed to September 2014. If not it will close no later than April 2013.

TAT estimates the closure will cost Bt190 million excluding compensation to cardholders, which could exceed Bt2.5 billion when other business-related damages are accessed.

The estimates will interest lawyers representing any disgruntled card members as it gives a benchmark on what they can expect in an out-of-court settlement.

TPC assets will be sold to pay off debts.

The company has a registered capital of Bt500 million, but has just Bt53 million in cash and monthly expenses averaging Bt7 million, down from Bt10 million in 2008.

Thailand Elite Card project was launched by the former Thaksin Shinawatra government in 2003. It was dismal failures from the word go and the only tangible benefits were a fast-track to a five-year visa and the right to buy land, which was later rescinded.

Discounts at resorts, spa and golf course and other perks have little value as better deals were available in the commercial market.

The government at the time claimed there were 2,566 members, mainly Koreans, Japanese, and Taiwanese who were attracted by the land purchase facility included membership.

Even today the Thailand Elite Card the main  company product has a spacious meet-and-greet service office at Suvarnabhumi Airport in a prime location close to the Tourist Police. Around five staff dressed in traditional Thai costume stay at the office, although there appears to be no apparent reason for their presence.

Thai Travel Agents Association reports the four-day show will have 1,110 registered booths mainly promoting travel deals and holidays to the consumer market.

They represent hotels, tour operators, national tourism office, airlines, car rentals and tourist attractions.

“It will be a good indicator of the Thai economy after last year’s flood crisis,” said TTAA president Charoen Wangananon. “We expect the show will attract around 800,000 visitors  and generate an estimated Bt1.3 billion.”

Japan continues for the second year as the signature destination with 40 booths booked under the Japan National Tourism Organisation.

“But this year we will add a second highlighted destination, India which has 10 booths with a theme of following the trail of the Buddha,” the TTAA president explained.

The proportion of this year show will be 55%  for domestic tourism and 45%  outbound tourism.

When asked what was new at the fair this year, Mr Charoen identified the national tourist office from Uzbekistan and Disneyland Hong Kong which is introducing Toy Story Land to the market.

Sponsors to the show remain the same; Krungthai Card PLC, Association of Domestic Travel, Thai Amadeus and ThaiVivat Insurance PCL.

KTC says card spending during the fair could reach Bt300 million. It is also more optimistic on attendance estimating 1 million visitors.

Last February the show generated revenue of Bt1.2 billion.

Last year, TTAA confirmed it would host TITF twice annually; the first show in the traditional timeslot of February and a new edition in August (dates to be confirmed).

TTAA has over 1,000 members mostly related to Thailand’s outbound travel sector that generates about 5 million overseas trips a year.

The department reported, late last week, its January to December 2011 data that showed 606 films, documentaries, advertising, TV series, and music video were filmed on location in Thailand generating Bt1,226.45 million in revenue. It compares with 578 productions and Bt1,869.15 million in 2010.

In 2011, foreign productions included 155 documentaries, 296 advertising, 86 TV series, 34 music video, and 35 feature films.

European film makers led the field with 119 productions followed by 113 from Japan, 107 from India, 47 from South Korea, 35 from the United States, 33 from China, 24 from Hong Kong, 15 from Australia, and nine from Taiwan.

In December alone, there were 36 productions that generated Bt109.55 million compared to 44 productions that circulated Bt90.38 million.

Off 36 productions, there were eight documentaries, 19 advertising, seven TV series, and one each for music video and film.

European production teams top the list in December with eight productions followed by six each from Japan and India, three from US, and two each from South Korea and China while the raise nine from others.

Last year, Thailand  waived fees for foreign film makers to shoot productions on the government owned properties — the National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation Department, Fine Arts Department, the State Railway of Thailand, the Treasury Department, the Royal Forest Department, the Royal Irrigation Department and Suvarnabhumi Airport– to encourage more film producers in the country.

That benefit has now ended.