Thailand to host World Tourism Day 2016

BANGKOK, April 1 (TNA) - Thailand has been selected by the General Assembly of the United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) to, for the first time, host the World Tourism Day 2016 during September 26-28. Thai Permanent Secretary for Tourism and Sports Pongpanu Svetarundra told journalists on March 31 that the three-day event should enable all parties relating to national tourism to have good opportunities to show off their readiness to welcome tourists not only to Bangkok, but also to all other Thai areas nationwide. Pongpanu said the event would also be a good chance for Thailand to develop a positive image and distribute tourism growth to all regions across the country. Thai Prime Minister General Prayut Chan-ocha will officially launch the World Tourism Day's activities 2016, themed "Tourism for All: Universal Accessibility", at Bangkok's Government House on September 27. According to the senior official, the upcoming Songkran or the traditional Thai New Year Festival in mid-April is foreseen to welcome 2.6 million international tourists, consisting of 2.1 million Thais and 500,000 foreigners, a 20 per cent year-on-year rise, thanks partly to the government's economic stimulus measures from April 9 to 17, including tax reduction for tourists' spending in the long-holiday period. (TNA)