Thailand: The operator of the DreamWorld amusement park near Bangkok, aims to attract more foreign visitors, especially from the Middle East, Japan, Korea and Russia, as part of a campaign to lift attendance by 10% to two million visitors next year.

Dream World Amusement Park recently took part in roadshows in the three regions with the Tourism Authority of Thailand, and it hopes to have the Bangkok attraction included on the itineraries of more local Bangkok and Thailand tour operators.

Currently, foreign tourists account for 30% of the visitors to DreamWorld. The figure slipped by 5% this year after the decline in travel linked to the Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (Sars) outbreak.

For Thailand's local market, the company believes next year will be a good ofor attractions like the DreamWorld amusement park as the healthy economy is prompting consumers to spend more.

Khun Amphol Suthiphein, the company's assistant managing director, said that so far, company had had success in attracting visitors from nearby countries such as China, Hong Kong and Taiwan.

To mark its 10th anniversary next year, Dreamworld amusement park will spend about 30 million baht on organise activities every month to attract more visitors. It is also spending 1.2 billion baht on a new venture, opening a performance hall in Bangkok called Siam Niramitr.

Siam Niramitr will be located on 25 rai on Ratchadaphisek Road, near the Korean Embassy in Bangkok. The 2,000-seat hall will be a venue for Thai traditional performances, aimed at foreign tourists visiting Thailand.