Boosting cultural tourism in 55 provinces
The Government has a policy to promote cultural tourism in secondary tourist cities in 55 provinces across Thailand. The policy aims to create more jobs in rural areas and ensure a better distribution of tourism earnings.
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Prime Minister General Prayut Chan-o-cha has instructed the Ministry of Tourism and Sports, the Ministry of Culture, and the Ministry of Interior to work with the 55 provinces to find out their unique identities and local wisdom. The objective is to use the strengths of the secondary destinations to connect with local tourism management.
The 55 provinces include Nakhon Si Thammarat, Udon Thani, Chiang Rai, Lop Buri, Phitsanulok, Suphan Buri, Ubon Ratchathani, Nakhon Nayok, Nong Khai, Sa Kaeo, Loei, Tak, Trat, Phetchabun, Chanthaburi, Mukdahan, Nakhon Sawan, Ratchaburi, Samut Songkhram, Buri Ram, Chaiyaphum, Phatthalung, Trang, Si Sa Ket, Prachin Buri, Satun, Chumphon, Sukhothai, Surin, Sakon Nakhon, Lamphun, Nakhon Phanom, Uttaradit, Ranong, Lampang, Roi Et, Mae Hong Son, Phichit, Phrae, Chai Nat, Nan, Ang Thong, Maha Sarakham, Kamphaeng Phet, Uthai Thani, Narathiwat, Yala, Phayao, Bueng Kan, Kalasin, Yasothon, Sing Buri, Nong Bua Lam Phu, Amnat Charoen, and Pattani.
The Prime Minister cited registered intangible cultural heritage items in various provinces as examples of wisdom that could be used to promote local tourism in secondary cities. The Ministry of Culture recently registered 18 designated intangible cultural heritage items in six categories as national cultural assets for 2018.
The six categories include folk literature and languages, performing arts, social practices, traditional craftsmanship, folk games and sports, and knowledge and practices concerning nature and the universe.
The Prime Minister told relevant agencies to arrange tourism activities and provide sufficient facilities to attract tourist arrivals in the secondary destinations. He called for joint cooperation in local tourism management, under the "public-private-people partnership” mechanism, for sustainable development.
In order to promote seminars, leisure travel, and MICE events in the 55 secondary tourist provinces, the Government issued tax deduction measures, allowing taxpayers to deduct the value of travel expenses worth up to 15,000 baht from personal income taxes for their tourist spending in the 55 provinces between January 1 and December 31, 2018.