The cabinet has approved a stimulus package worth 22.4 billion baht to encourage domestic tourism in Thailand confirmed Deputy Government spokesperson, Traisuree Taisaranakul.
The domestic tourism package was jointly proposed by the Tourism and Sports Ministry and the Finance Ministry. It will run from July until October this year.
Of the 22.4 billion baht, 18 billion baht will provide subsidies for services, including accommodation, food, and other tourist-related activities.
Subsidies will offer approximately five million nights of hotel accommodations at a 40 percent discounted rate. However, the discount is limited to 3,000 baht per night for a maximum of five nights.
Other services, including food and activities, are limited to 600 baht per room per night.
To qualify for the discounted rates, people must stay at hotels and visit attractions outside of their native province. Subsidies will cover a maximum of 40 percent of expenses during a trip.
It is expected that as many as 24,700 hotels and accommodations, and 36,755 restaurants will benefit from this subsidy.
Another 2.4 billion baht will provide travel for 1.2 million health volunteers and officials working at subdistrict hospitals. This package will have a limit of 2,000 baht per person for trips of at least two days and one night.
Volunteers and health officials will use services provided by tour companies for their travel. It is expected that this will help more than 13,000 tour operators.
The other 2 billion baht will help with subsidizing domestic flights, inter-provincial bus tickets, and other travel expenses. Travelers will receive up to 40 percent of costs with a limit of 1,000 baht per person.
Registrations will open over the next few days for anyone who wants to travel domestically between July and October. The scheme will accept applicants via a Krungthai Bank platform.
Source: Bangkok Post
