TAT Deputy Governor Phensuda Phrai-aram said the marketing plan had been revised due to the global economic crisis and the spiraling of oil prices. The TAT’s new target group included quality tourists who repeatedly traveled to Thailand as well as emerging tourists such as those from the Middle East and the EU, the deputy governor said.

The number of Middle Eastern and European tourists in Thailand increased by 3% compared to last year. However, Asian tourists, including those from Japan, China, and Korea, have a tendency to travel less to Thailand this year.

Ms Phensuda added that foreign tourists generated considerably high revenue of 480 billion baht each year to the country and they were another important factor of the Thai economy’s recovery. The deputy governor said if continuously stimulated, the tourism sector this year could generate as high as 500 billion baht.