cette idée existe depuis 2003, à l'epoque c'etait un projet pour les touristes tres fortunés, car apparement les autorités thai preferent le haut de gammme que la" pietaille des routards".
Thailand targets well-heeled tourists
The tourism authority of Thailand has persuaded more than 80 wealthy foreigners to pay $25, 000 (1m baht) each for the right to be classified as "elite tourists". In return for the fee, the tourists get a selection of life-time privileges including fast-track access through immigration, discounts at luxury resorts and the right to buy property in
Thailand.
Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra, who came up with the idea, said he hoped the initiative would promote
Thailand as a destination for wealthy tourists and improve the economy.
The scheme is targeting potential tourists from
Japan, China,
Hong Kong,
Singapore and
Taiwan, as well as those from the United
States and the
United Kingdom.
"In the old days we opened our country to almost everyone, " Paisit Kaenchan, director of the
Thailand Privilege Card Co, which is marketing the card, told reporters.
"Right now we have to concentrate on people who spend more money, " he said.
Prime Minister Thaksin gave a black and gold "
Thailand Elite" card to each of the VIP travellers who have signed up at a ceremony on Wednesday.
Nearly half of the inaugural cardholders are reportedly Chinese. They include executives from the Bank of
New York and the Mitsubishi Corporation.
The Thai tourist authority is said to want to invite more than 100, 000 people to join the scheme.
Tourism is a lynchpin of the Thai economy, but the number of tourists have fallen this year due to an outbreak of the Sars virus in the region and the threat of terror attacks. Story from BBC NEWS:
news.bbc.co.uk/...-pacific/3280755.stm
Published: 2003/11/18 14:08:35 GMT
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