Thailand remains popular among int'l tourists

BANGKOK, September 10 (TNA) - The state-run Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) says that the Kingdom remains a popular destination for international tourists, citing that the number of visitors from Europe and Africa grew by 3.7 per cent and 4-5 per cent year-on-year during the first seven months of this year. TAT Deputy Governor for International Marketing in Europe, Africa, the Middle East and America Juthaporn Rerngronasa told journalists of the positive information on Wednesday, acknowledging that, despite domestic political problems in the first half of 2014, international tourists still like Thailand for natural tourist attractions, cultures and people. Juthaporn noted that Russians had formed the lion's share of European tourist arrivals in Thailand during the January-July 2014 period, followed by those from France, Britain and Germany. Juthaporn admitted that the number of tourists from the United States and the Middle East had dropped by 4 per cent and 9 per cent respectively during the period due to travel advisories about Thailand. The TAT deputy governor assessed that international tourist arrivals in Thailand should, however, rise in the upcoming annual high season, as many countries have already lifted their warnings against Thailand. According to the TAT deputy governor, TAT will also actively promote Thailand among international tourists and tour operators, including its invitation for senior executives of about 20 cruise companies from America and Europe to survey Thailand's tourist attractions and ports in November 2014, while TAT will also conduct roadshows in the Netherland, Belgium, Luxemburg and France later this month.(TNA)