BANGKOK, Thailand – The tourism subsidy campaign aimed at flood-affected provinces in the northern region is set to launch on November 1. The government hopes this initiative will aid in the recovery of these provinces and stimulate tourism. The Ministry of Tourism and Sports is exploring the possibility of extending this campaign to encompass all 17 provinces in the northern region.
The Ministry of Tourism and Sports is evaluating an extension of the government’s tourism subsidy campaign for flood-affected areas in the northern region to include all 17 provinces.
Tourism and Sports Minister Sorawong Thienthong stated that the ministry will need to consult with the Ministry of Finance regarding the feasibility of this extension, which would require an increase in budget allocation.
He noted that the Tourism Authority of Thailand is currently gathering data on the items and services eligible for the tourism subsidy, which will cover hotels, accommodations, and restaurants.
Under the current plan, the government will subsidize eligible tourism spending at 50%, with a maximum subsidy of 400 baht per person. This subsidy will be available for up to 10,000 participants during the campaign.
The funding for this subsidy is expected to come from the government’s central budget, which still has 187 billion baht available for disbursement to stimulate and strengthen the economy.
Mr. Sorawong emphasized that this campaign aims to attract visitors from other regions to the north while also encouraging residents within the northern region to explore other provinces in the area.
If the campaign is extended, the subsidy will be available for eligible spending across all 17 northern provinces, which include Chiang Rai, Nan, Phayao, Chiang Mai, Mae Hong Son, Phrae, Lampang, Lamphun, Tak, Uttaradit, Phitsanulok, Sukhothai, Phetchabun, Phichit, Kamphaeng Phet, Nakhon Sawan, and Uthai Thani.
Additionally, the government plans to reintroduce the “We Travel Together” tourism subsidy campaign next year, targeting approximately 560,000 participants at an estimated cost of over 22 billion baht. The tourism minister indicated that further discussions will be necessary with relevant sectors to review the types of eligible spending, the amount of subsidies, and the budgetary needs.
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