Thai tourism industry pleased at state of emergency end

The lifting of the State of Emergency on Sunday that had been imposed by the Thai government on 2 September was welcomed enthusiastically by the Association of Thai Travel Agents (ATTA) and many involved in the country’s important tourism sector.

ATTA’s president, Apichart Sankary, commented that lifting the state of emergency declaration would help restore confidence in foreign tourists, ahead of the traditionally busy high season, and that of foreign investors and business executives.

Mr Apichart added that his association would play an active role in disseminating news of the positive development t0 countries around the globe, and that Thai government envoys based overseas would help do the same in the countries where they are located.

Approximately 15 million foreigners visited Thailand in 2007, bringing income to the country of Bt600 billion, and domestic tourists contributed an additional Bt400 billion to the economy, Mr Apichart continued.

For 2008, tourist numbers are expected to be about the same as last year, lower than the 15.48 million originally projected by the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT). Income from domestic and foreign tourism is also expected to remain at 2007 levels, according to the association president.

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