Phuket launches drive for Thai tourists

PHUKET: The Phuket Tourist Association (PTA) in coordination with the local office of the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) and Phuket FantaSea will launch a campaign to draw more Thai tourists to Phuket in the coming low season. Pamuke Achariyachai, president of the PTA, said the aim of the campaign is to improve the domestic market for Phuket and to change Thai attitudes towards Phuket as a holiday destination. He said that Phuket is seen by many Thais as an expensive place, “which has resulted in negative attitudes among Thais towards coming here for holidays. While Thailand is potentially a large market for Phuket, the numbers of Thai tourists coming to Phuket has always been relatively small,” Pamuke said. TAT statistics for Phuket show that of the three million tourists who visited Phuket last year, only 800,000 were Thai. The main organizer of the campaign, Phuket FantaSea, has allocated a budget of 10 million baht for promotion and advertising. The package, which will be called, with stunning originality, “Amazing Phuket Discovery”, includes return air or coach tickets, accommodation, and admiussion to a show at Phuket Fantasea. It will be valid from May 16 to November 30. Prices will vary depending on the accommodation chosen. Pamuke added, “The package will be offered to Thai Citizens and Thai residents only. To make a reservation, expatriates should present a work permit showing their working address in Thailand, along with a passport.” Hotels and resorts, travel agents, tour operators, or souvenir shops in Phuket which wish to join in the campaign should contact the TAT or the PTA before the launch, which will take place on April 3 in the Emerald hotel in Bangkok.