Patmas Wongpattanasiri, TAT Director for the Northeast, said that the country’s northeastern region is the second most popular destination among local travellers, after Bangkok. The region earned tourist revenue of as much as
B35 billion in 2011.
As a start for this year’s campaign, TAT is joining hands with the Udon Thani City Hall in organising the “Million Red Water Lilies” Festival on February 14. It is the first time the province is promoting this event, which needs a budget of around B300,000 to organise.
Concerning the tourism promotion budget for the northeast this year, Mrs Patmas said the figure has been increased by 5-7 per cent to a total of B70 million. The budget will accordingly be allocated to all seven regional offices of TAT.
With all campaigns in place, it is expected that there will be around 18.7 million local tourists, bringing in about B40 billion revenue to the region.
Mrs Patmas said all TAT overseas offices are also to promote Isarn abroad.
–NNT