TAT targets Europe, Africa

PHUKET TOWN: Tourists from South Africa and Switzerland will be the new targets as the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) attempts to increase the number of visitors coming to Phuket. Anupharp Thirarath, Director of the local TAT branch, revealed the new aim yesterday at an Aviation Business 2003 Trends Conference at the Royal Phuket City Hotel. The TAT is planning a mid-year roadshow to Switzerland and South Africa that will highlight Phuket’s attractions. A long-term marketing plan has Thailand as the tourism capital of Asia, with Phuket playing a more significant role as a “world-class tourism destination”. “This doesn’t mean all hotels in Phuket must be five-star or provide guests with limousines or Mercedes Benz cars,” K. Anupharp said. “But we need inbound tourists to be of higher quality and spend more.” The conference was organized by students from Rajabhat Institute Phuket.