Worapong Moochaotai, secretary-general of Chiang Mai Tourism Business Association, told The Nation last week that the province was developing tourism plans to promote Chiang Mai as Thailand's premier long-stay destination. The focus will be on Asia, Europe and the US.
"Among those countries, Japan |is the hottest. By 2015, one in four Japanese citizens will be 65 or |older and they will seek a second home to stay peacefully away from the uncertainty of natural disasters," he said.
Chiang Mai expects to welcome at least 10,000 Japanese long-stayers within five years.
According to the Chiang Mai Chamber of Commerce, at any time about 4,000 Japanese, 2,000 South Koreans, 2,000 Dutch, 700 Americans and 200 Indians are touring the province.
In recent years, the travel industry in the province has invested in multimillion-baht long-stay facilities, including condominiums and golf courses to get ready for this expanding segment.
The Chiang Mai Chamber of Commerce has set aside Bt10 million to promote its long-stay programme, join international roadshows and trade shows and prepare guidebooks for travel agents in those targeted countries.
According to a 2010 survey by the Japan-based Long Stay Foundation, Thailand ranks as the fourth favourite country for long stays after Malaysia, Hawaii and Australia.
Sansern Ngaorangsri, deputy governor for Asia and the South Pacific market at the Tourism Authority of Thailand, said Japan was a very attractive market so TAT made sure it took part in key trade shows in Japan related to long stays.
For example, TAT had invited travel agents and hotels to join Tokyo Golf Fair 2011 and Tokyo Marathon Fair 2010 in February and Tokyo Marine Diving Fair 2011 and Thai Festival 2011 in April. There are also events coming later this year such as JATA World Travel Fair in September and Long Stay Dual Life in November.
The Japanese are known as repeat visitors and high spenders with an average budget of Bt4,521 a day and average length of stay of 7.3 days.
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