TAT earmarks budget for year-end foreign markets

Tough final 2 months looms for sector

As the conflict in the Middle East continues, the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) is planning to allocate part of its emergency budget to stimulate foreign markets during the final two months of the year.

TAT governor Thapanee Kiatphaibool said many airlines are cutting flights to the Middle East, indicating the situation remains unresolved and could affect global travel sentiment.

As a result, the agency is earmarking part of its budget, which can be used under emergency conditions, to support all foreign markets during the year-end period and help maintain both commercial and charter flights.

Ms Thapanee said the programme will have specific criteria for flight subsidies, similar to the previous Thailand Summer Blast scheme, such as minimum load factor requirements and consideration of whether routes are new.

The subsidy scheme is expected to begin this month, following the National Tourism Policy Committee's latest meeting chaired by Deputy Prime Minister Suphajee Suthumpun.

This measure could help complement year-end festive events that appeal to foreign tourists, such as Vijit Chaophraya, Tomorrowland and EDC Phuket.

Increasing flights from short-haul markets is easier than targeting long-haul markets, as travellers can decide to visit Thailand more quickly, she noted.

Chiravadee Khunsub, TAT deputy governor for Europe, Africa, the Middle East and the Americas, said it is more difficult for airlines serving long-haul markets to increase flight capacity in the short term compared with those in short-haul markets.

Most long-haul flights were already scheduled and planned well in advance of the season. Therefore, the agency will determine how much seat capacity on these long-haul flights remains unbooked and will launch joint promotions with airlines to offer attractive deals on those available seats, said Mrs Chiravadee.

As of Oct 31, Thailand welcomed 25.5 million foreign arrivals, down 4.6% year-on-year. The agency targeted 33 million arrivals this year, meaning it needs more than 7 million additional visitors in less than two months.