Central region gears up for post-flood tourism

The recent flooding in many areas of Thailand has directly affected tourism in terms of tourist attractions, transportation routes, local tourism and related businesses. 

It has also had a psychological impact on the industry since many tourists who had planned their travels have become uncertain about the situation and decided to postpone their trips. 

Among the hard-hit provinces in the terms of tourism are 14 Central region provinces Bangkok, Pathum Thani, Nonthaburi, Samut Prakan, Chachoengsao, Nakhon Pathom, Samut Sakhon, Ayutthaya, Suphan Buri, Angthong, Chainat, Lop Buri, Sing Buri and Saraburi while Kanchanaburi, Samut Songkhram, 

Ratchaburi, Phetchaburi and Prachuap Khiri Khan have been indirectly affected, according to Tourism Authority of Thailand Central Regional Office director Somchai Chompoonoi.

Sanam Chandra Palace, Nakhon Pathom.

To stimulate tourism in the Central region, the TAT regional office has come up with short-, medium- and long-term plans to mobilise resources and work with the public and private sectors and tourism business alliances to promote the concept of sustainable tourism through CSR and volunteerism-related, religious and cultural trips and cultural tourism. 

The volunteerism-related trips and activities include flood relief trips, Big Cleaning Day, pilgrimage and merit-making trips, such as the We Care Ayutthaya trips for tourism business allies to clean flood-hit temples and tourist attractions in Ayutthaya.

To restore people's confidence in the Central region's readiness to welcome tourists back, the office has been running public relations and marketing campaigns and invited members of the media and Thai and foreign tour agents to visit both the flood-hit and unaffected tourist spots which have returned to normalcy. For example, the tourist season in Hua Hin and Prachuap Khiri Khan has been officially launched.

The office has also been working to promote public awareness of annual festivals and activities, such as the 20th anniversary of Ayutthaya World Heritage celebrations being held until December 13, the Kwai River Bridge Anniversary Week, the Blossoming Sunflower Festival and New Year Festival.

In addition, all eight TAT offices in the Central region have collaborated in organising Travelling and Doing Good for the King trips, countdown celebrations and New Year's Eve mass praying in the 19 Central provinces. Next year's first and biggest tourism marketing event, entitled "Sawasdee Thailand Fair" is scheduled for January 9.