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New Drive to Boost Tourism in Northeastern Thailand |
| Source: |
thailand.prd.go.th |
| Source Date: |
Tuesday, January 18, 2011 |
| Focus: |
Electronic and Mobile Government, Citizen Engagement, Internet Governance
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| Country: |
Thailand |
| Created: |
Jan 25, 2011 |
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Northeastern Thailand will be the focus in the Tourism Authority of Thailand’s (TAT) new drive to boost tourism in 2011.
TAT Deputy Governor for Domestic Marketing, Mr. Thawatchai Arunyik, said that, with the promotional campaign, the northeastern region would receive greater attention this year among both local and international visitors.
He said that many provinces in the Northeast are already well-known as tourism destinations, such as Loei, Udon Thani, Ubon Ratchathani, and Nakhon Ratchasima. Low-cost airlines are also operating more flights connecting the Northeast with other parts of the country, thus facilitating travel in the region.
TAT will organize an Amazing I-san Fair 2011 between January 27 and 30 at the Queen Sirikit National Convention Center in Bangkok to boost tourism in the Northeast. It is expected that more than 60,000 people will visit the fair, with about 50 booths and a focus on seven major routes leading to the Northeast. Last year, the northeastern region earned 40 billion baht in tourism income. The amount is expected to increase to 43.2 billion baht this year.
As for international tourist arrivals, an emphasis will be placed on attracting visitors from Europe to observe the local lifestyle and places of interest.
Commonly referred to as I-san, the northeastern region comprises 19 provinces and is famous for its cultural richness and colorful festivals and traditions. It shares a border with neighboring Lao People’s Democratic Republic, and the weather can be quite cold in winter yet hot and dry in the long summer months. Local residents are known for their silk-weaving skills; their culture is a mixture of Thai, Lao, and Khmer traditions. Most of Thailand’s jasmine rice, or Hom Mali, is produced in the region. Sticky rice is a staple food in the Northeast.
Since the Mekong River flows past much of the northern and eastern edge of I-san, the tourism promotion in the northeast emphasizes not only the region as an interesting destination but also its role as a starting point to visit other countries in the Greater Mekong Subregion.
When compared with other regions of the country, the Northeast seems to be less familiar to many international visitors, although this area is noted for being the center of an age-old civilization and culture dating back to pre-historic times. Chiang Khan, a quiet town on the Mekong in Loei and the natural beauty of Wang Nam Khiao (วังน้ำเขียว) in Nakhon Ratchasima are becoming better-known among international visitors. Many attractions in the northeastern region are still waiting to be explored.
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