BANGKOK, 23 November 2018: Tourist poor destinations will be given an helping hand by the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) to boost their chances to capture the attention of both international and domestic tourists.
TAT has highlighted 55 secondary provinces across the country that are in the sub 4 million visit league for both foreign and domestic tourists.
The government agency is touting three concepts to lift awareness in secondary destinations that are light years behind premier league players Bangkok, Pattaya, Phuket and Chiang Mai.
Based on concept labels, TAT branded Buriram in northeast Thailand as a “sports city” and Chiang Rai in far north Thailand a “city of wellness”. Neither city has adopted the branding officially, although Buriram comes close. However, Chiang Rai after various brainstorming sessions still remains undecided on branding options. “City of Arts,” references to coffee and tea and wellness have all been nonstarters.
But the core branding categories for 55 secondary destinations are now in place. Take your pick.
Local experiences
Destinations that offer in-depth know-how sourced through communities that offer insights into alternative lifestyles ad wisdom.
Future Challenge
Secondary cities, lucky to have an expanding economy, and are now ready to benefit from tourism if developed in a sustainable manner.
Connecting Destinations
Destinations that compliment Thailand’s big cities through a connecting corridor that extends to neighbouring countries.
TAT has identified 29 destinations in this category all close to primary cities of which 22 have airports and 10 have immigration checkpoints on borders with neighbouring countries.
The key elements are the connecting points to other places, including neighbouring countries as well as offering seamless connectivity from the primary cities or mega tourist destinations.
TAT’s research shows there are more than 4,000 tourist attractions and over 8,000 accommodation options in the secondary destinations.
A survey by the TAT Intelligence Centre (TATIC) on travel trends showed that during the first half of the year, 55 secondary destinations hosted 2,288,164 foreign visitors.
The top five source markets for these destinations were Laos (513,046), China (235,573), United Kingdom (110,942), Germany (103,912), and France (84,380).
Laos figured at the top because it shares a land border with one of Thailand’s northeast city destinations, Nong Khai.
The most visited secondary destinations (hosting over 100,000 tourists) were Nong Khai, Udon Thani, Chiang Rai and Mae Hong Son. The cities receiving between 55,001-100,000 tourists were Ubon Ratchathani, Mukdahan and Satun.
TAT governor Yuthasak Supasorn said: “This activity is designed to better distribute tourism income and visitation from the primary to secondary cities, boost exposure of Thai culture and traditions and enhance community sustainability.”
(Source: TAT)
The success of TAT’s secondary ‘tourist destination’ promotion project would depend so much on the Leaders or with the local government administration of the proposed 55 secoundary provinces. Which is requiring a stronger will & more determination from all local government’s leaders, as well as good acceptance & willingness from most of local communities & its citizen welcoming the visitors.
In other words, making oneself an interesting destination, would require a distinguish or with a difference, and that should be an attactive product for tourists, the consumers, who’re willing to pay for the coming trip to the project’s tourist destination.
Besides all the criteria TAT already setforth for the potential 2nd tourist destinations, a high priority agenda, particularly on a budgetary support from the Thai government is necessary for developing adequate infrastructure & facilities, and setting rules & regulations requirement, not only for the orderly & well being of local population, but needed for the satisfactory of additional tourists in the tourist site also.
Eventually, it’d be following by appropriated concepts & positioning.of TAT marketing & promotion process. And with these potentials combinatiion, then tourism entreprenuer or private sector investment will expand. Hopefully, under very a very strong management, we’ll see a successful story.!