The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) is aiming to attract more tourists from China following the drop in arrivals caused by bad experiences provided by shady low-cost tour operators organizing trips to Thailand.

TAT’s East Asia Region Executive Director Srisuda Wanapinyosak, said today that the TAT is now targeting tourists from China after the number of Chinese tourists to Thailand was affected by the government’s effort to eradicate illegal tour operators from China, and to push for an expansion of the tourism market in this year’s final quarter, reported Thai News Bureau.

She said the TAT had already allocated THB50 million to launch campaigns with five TAT offices in China, to help 53 Thai businesses, and to promote Thai tourism products, specifically seaside tourism as many parts of China are now beginning to have cold weather.

The TAT is also aiming to execute marketing plans with Thai-registered airlines to help promote Thai tourism in cities which normally see low visitor numbers.

The TAT executive director said the TAT was planning to launch the Amazing Campaign which includes promotions such as online advertisement and viral clips, as well as PR material via other channels over the next two weeks, to inform the Chinese public of the harm often caused by low-cost tour operators that may exploit tourists, causing them to spend much more money than they intended to.