Eturbo News. As tourism in Thailand shows signs of picking up, the local tourism authority is working on several initiatives including a six-month online marketing project and development of tourism spots.
An official from Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) told media that the last three months witnessed an increment in the tourism as the arrivals rose 40 percent. The online initiative will help restore the tourism industry in the six Andaman provinces. Special-priced goods and services will be presented to accommodate the group of tourists who favored finding information through websites, according to thaisnews.com.
Also, the authority's post-tsunami redevelopment projects for Patong and Kamala beaches are expected to commence this month, with first-phase landscaping work on both projects to be completed by the end of next month, according to Phuket Gazette.
"The work involves removing what is left of Loma Fountain and other damaged structures along the beachfront and re-landscaping the area to serve as "multi-purpose" recreational area, with shade to be provided by newly-planted jittalay and raktalay trees. Six statues of the highly endangered leatherback turtle will line the walkways and serve as a showcase for the public park," said the publication. "Also included in the work will be a large canvas-covered public pavilion, located on the beach behind the police box at the foot of Bangla Rd. Other work will include putting up signs pointing out areas of interest to tourists and building new public bathhouses. New lifeguard towers, 4.8 meters in height, will be built along the beach, and signage indicating tsunami evacuation routes will be put up."
On the other hand, Bangkok Post informed that promotional road shows in Eastern Europe are the latest in a series of efforts to stimulate travel to southern Thailand and lift hotel occupancy rates to 80 percent by early next year. TAT is confident about Vienna serving as a gateway for travelers from Eastern Europe once Austrian Airlines begins direct flights to Phuket from Vienna on November 4.
Pattanapong Aikwanich, president of the Phuket Tourist Association, headed a recent road show to Austria, Hungary and the Czech Republic, with 16 hotel, spa and tour agency representatives. The group briefed European tour operators on Phuket's recovery from last year's tsunami and on the attractions of Thai food, resorts, culture, water sports and golf, reported by the daily.
A section of media indicated that Thailand had 11.65 million foreign visitors in 2004, up 11.5 percent from the previous year.
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