The Federation of Thai Tourism Associations (FETTA) has drafted a proposal to the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) and the incoming cabinet, which comprises between 14 billion baht (US$427 million) and 15 billion baht of stimulus projects to support the tourism industry in light of the Middle East conflict.
FETTA is made up of seven private-sector associations, including the Association of Thai Travel Agents, Thai Hotels Association, Thai Travel Agents Association, Thai Transportation Operators Association, Association of Chonburi Tourism Federation, Thai Tourism Promotion Association, and the Association of Domestic Travel.
The proposal submitted to the TAT governor urges the new government to incorporate key stimulus projects into its upcoming parliamentary policy statement.
Central to this initiative are the Tour Teaw Thai and A Million Buses Traveling Across Thailand campaigns. Both are designed to boost domestic tourism revenue while helping travellers save on energy costs through organised bus tours.
The latter features a co-payment scheme for cross-regional trips to local communities. Groups of 20 or more travelling for three days and two nights will receive a 10,000 baht subsidy per bus. The project aims to provide 1,000,000 privileges, utilising a total budget of 10 billion baht.
To further lower travel expenses, the proposal suggests supporting charter flights and reducing airport fees. This measure requires a one billion baht budget spanning three quarters, designed to subsidise 1,000 flights per quarter at 350,000 baht per flight.
Anutin’s second and incoming cabinet is expected to be sworn in on April 6, and to deliver a policy statement from April 7.
Surasak Phancharoenworakul, current minister of higher education, science, research and innovation and deputy leader of the Bhumjaithai Party, has been appointed to the cabinet as the new minister of Tourism and Sports.
