BANGKOK: Cult films such as The Beach have driven tourists in their hoards to visit Maya Bay on Koh Phi Phi, as well as Phuket being named as Britons favourite holiday resort in 2017.
However, pressure caused by a suffocating amount of over-tourism on the country’s most popular beach resorts, and capital Bangkok, is growing.The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) announced their ‘Go Local’ campaign in January 2018, in order to promote secondary destinations and curb the tide of tourism against urban areas only.
Tax reductions are being offered to domestic travellers in 2018. This programme will be extended for international travellers the year after.
To entice tourists to lesser-known destinations, a TAT Plus discount card has been created, giving travellers money off retail, dining and accommodation in secondary cities.
A number of improvements are to be made to transport, making it easier for travellers to reach rural areas, as well as discounts on domestic air fares.