BANGKOK, Apr 17 (TNA) – Thailand’s Cabinet on Friday resolved to put tourism promotion atop the national agenda to boost the tourism industry after a number of countries issued travel warnings to their citizens following recent clashes between anti-government protesters and government security personnel, and the subsequent declaration of a State of Emergency in the capital this week.
Deputy Government Spokesman Watchara Kanikar said that the tourism industry, with some 1.2 million employees, was most affected by the recent political chaos. The Cabinet has resolved to assist the sector as a national priority and has assigned the Ministry of Tourism and Sports to propose a tourism boosting plan, to be submitted to the cabinet next week.
Meanwhile, Phuket Tourist Association president Somboon Jirayut said that due to the recent political chaos Shanghai Airlines and China Eastern Airlines have cancelled their direct flights to Phuket, earlier scheduled from late April and mid-May respectively.
The two Chinese airlines cited security concerns as a reason of the cancellation. They instead operated the direct flight from Shanghai to Indonesian resort island Bali.
Mr. Somboon said that with 22 million of population in Shanghai, if only one per cent of its population or 200,000 people visit Thailand, this would considerably help boost Phuket's economy.
Mr. Somboon however said after discussion with Chinese travel agents he was informed that they would bring Chinese tourists back to Phuket when they are certain that situation has returned to normalcy. (TNA)
Business News : Last Update : 18:33:39 17 April 2009 (GMT+7:00)
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