The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT), the national Thai tourism organization (NTO) and Thai Airways have made a joint presentation at this year's ITB international tourism fair in Berlin, yesterday, given by the Governor of TAT, Khun Juthamas Siriwan and TAT's Executive Commercial Vice President, Khun Vasing Kittikul.

Thailand's tourist target for the year 2004 was to attract 12 million visitors to the country, but it fell just short at 11.7 million people visiting Thailand, but still a 16.5% increase compared to the year 2003. The target for the year 2005 has been set at 13.4 million visitors, despite the tsunami of last December.

Post-Tsunami strategy: Thailand will be promoting the "Upper Southern Beach Area" including Hua Hin, Cha-Am and Samui; And the "Eastern Seaboard Area" including Pattaya, Koh Samet and Koh Chang as tourist destinations. The TAT also hopes to develop new resort areas in the south of Thailand including new roads and railway projects. Thailand is also aiming for niche markets, promoting spa and health holidays, Thai cooking classes and culture tours. With lastly, the aim is to promote Thailand as an International gateway to tourism in the Greater Mekong Sub-region.

The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) presumes that the Europe market has been lost for the peak season December/March, for which in replacement the TAT is concentrating on attracting visitors from Asian travel markets as replacement. A travel road show to Germany and Sweden will still go ahead as planned.

Many commentators say that most areas in South Thailand have been improved by the reconstruction after the tsunami, such as Patong and Kamala Beach and Patong, and that the tsunami has cleared away some the sea pollution. Even the sea and beaches around Phuket are cleaner and clearer than ever.

Khun Siriwan said that the best donation you can give to the people in the tsunami area of Thailand, is simply to come on holiday to Thailand and enjoy the hospitality of the Thai people.

Khun Siriwan also added that The Thai Government says that Bangkok's new Suvarnabhumi International Airport will be open in September this year; although many assume that the opening will be further delayed. And to help the recovery of tourism in the South of Thailand, Krabi airport will be designated as an international airport by a 3,000 meter extension of its runway.