Thailand strives to revive island tourism, "plotting" to welcome visitors during low season

The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) is confident that tourism activities to Koh Chang Island, the third largest island in Thailand after Phuket and Koh Samui and one of the most famous beaches in the “Land of Golden Pagodas”, will recover in the second half of this year.

Thái Lan: Nỗ lực hồi sinh du lịch đảo, tung ưu đãi khủng mùa thấp điểm

Koh Chang is one of the most famous beaches in Thailand. (Source: Love and Road)

After Covid-19 pandemic restrictions were eased and lifted, tourism activities in Trat province - home to popular islands in the Gulf of Thailand such as Koh Kud, Koh Mak and Koh Chang - are improving as tourists start to return.

According to Ms. Phatcharin Sawettarat, Director of TAT Office in Trat province, in the first 5 months of this year, Trat welcomed 932,115 tourists, including 349,829 foreigners, bringing revenue to the province of about 9 billion Baht (250 million USD).

The increasing number of tourists is a result of the celebration of many festivals, such as Songkran water festival and fruit festival.

“It is surprising that the number of foreign tourists increased by 135.72% in the first five months of the year compared to the same period last year, while income also increased by 134.04%. With these figures, we believe that tourism in Trat will increase in the second half of this year,” Ms Phatcharin emphasized.

June to October is the rainy season in Thailand, which is considered the low tourist season. However, this year, TAT has launched many promotional programs to attract international tourists to Thailand during the rainy season.

Specifically, the agency has launched a campaign called “From the mountain mist in Nan to the sea breeze in Trat” to encourage tourists to experience an exciting journey from the misty mountains in the North of the country to the blue, white, sandy and sunny beaches of the Central region.

In addition, TAT will also hold an event called "Sanae Silp Thin Trat" (The Charming Art of Trat) from July 21-23 to promote local cuisine as well as arts and crafts.

In addition, TAT plans to promote the 800-year-old Wat Bubpharam temple as a pilgrimage site and hold the second annual swimsuit competition on Koh Mak.

“We will also promote Koh Mak as a low-carbon destination. We hope tourism will return to normal this year,” said Ms Phatcharin.

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