Tourism in 6 months reeled in 1.33 trillion

BANGKOK, March 31 (TNA) -- The tourism sector in the past six months or between October 2016 to March 2017 has expanded continuously, generating an income of more than 1.33 trillion baht according to Tourism and Sports Minister Ms Kobkarn Wattanavrangkul. Ms Kobkarn said the performance of the tourism sector between the months of October 2016 through March 2017 has reeled in an income over 1.33 trillion baht, where the sector would still continue to grow. She said the highest number foreign tourists to Thailand remained to be from China, followed by Russia, Malaysia, the UK, and the US, with tourism in Andaman still holding the rank of top tourist destination in the country, followed closely by the northern and the eastern region respectively. She stressed that Sports Tourism are becoming more popular among visitors due to organising of the Air Race 1, World Jet Ski competition, marathons and triathlons in the country, which helped to generate more income and attract visitors to spend longer stays in Thailand. In its latest effort to push forward the Sports Tourism policy, the ministry has proposed to the Cabinet for Thailand to host the Moto Grand Prix or MotoGP for the next three years, at the Chang International Circuit By Buriram United, in which the government has already approved a budget of 100 million for the holding of the moto racing competition each year from between 2018-2021. The hosting of the MotoGP should help attract up to 100,000 visitors from around the world and within the country, as well as helped to open the doors into the tourism sector in the northeastern region, generating an income as high as 1,800 billion baht, spreading the income to local entrepreneurs and communities in the Thai northeast. Moreover, the Cabinet has given the green light for Thailand to apply to become the host of the Sport Accord Convention 2018 in Bangkok in April of next year, in which the event should help stimulate the economy and the tourism sector in various aspects. The minister said the ministry is still pushing forward with plans to turn Thailand into a hub for five sectors, including for sports tourism, health tourism, wedding ceremonies, water tourism, and ASEAN tourism.(TNA)