The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) plans to transform the eastern provinces into premier tourist destinations with a focus on business travellers and big spenders.
TAT governor Yuthasak Supasorn said the government is promoting the Eastern Economic Corridor (EEC) initiative as a high-tech industrial area. The TAT plans to capitalise on the project by developing Chon Buri, Rayong, and Chachoengsao into international-calibre tourist destinations.
"People coming here to work or visit should be able to explore the local culture," Mr Yuthasak said. "Unique communities, bustling markets, quaint homestays, fishing excursions, and culinary experiences will serve as the main magnets to the region."
The eastern region enjoys a bustling tourism industry, but tourism authorities want to take the area to the next level. It is already a transportation and trade hub, as well as a well-established manufacturing centre for the petrochemical, automobile, and electronic industries.
Krisda Sriraksa, marketing and sales representative of Ramayana Water Park, said Pattaya is now better linked to Suvarnabhumi and Don Mueang airports, which is helping raise the park's bottom line. U-tapao airport serves the Rayong-Pattaya area and will soon be among the country's major gateways, helping to strengthen the eastern region's competitiveness, Mr Krisda said. "Moving forward, a high-speed train system will further boost travel into the region," he said.
An increase in cruise liners and luxury yachts will also be key in bringing high-quality tourists to the region, Mr Yuthasak said. The Kaan Show, a fusion of cinematic and live performance which bills itself as the first "four-dimensional show" in Southeast Asia, is generating strong demand among Chinese tourists. The 1.2-billion-baht production will soon reach high-spending Western customers, said Kritmanee Ratanaphaisal, its senior marketing and sales manager.
"We created something," Ms Kritmanee said. "Our show is all about Thai culture and literature, which is attractive to high-spending tourists."
Two water parks in the Pattaya area were listed among the top 10 in Asia by TripAdvisor last week: Ramayana Water Park came in third, while the Cartoon Network Amazone took seventh place. Parks were rated based on the quality and quantity of their reviews.