Khon Kaen defies downturn thanks to local tourism

       Khon Kaen's tourism industry has withstood the downturn in the global economy, due to its reliance on local tourists and the business event market.
       "More than 50 per cent of the province's tourism income is from meetings and seminars," Chookiet Potito, assistant director at Tourism Authority of Thailand's Khon Kaen Office, said. More than 90 per cent of tourists here are Thais, he said.
       Hotels in this northeastern province were 44 per cent ofccupied in the second quarter, dipping 46 per cent year-on-year.
       Tourism is expected to improve next quarter as the government has sped up the budget spending of state agencies.
       This should result in more meetings and seminars organised by government offices in the province, he added.
       Konlachai tongsopit, president of the Khon Kaen Tourism Council,said the government has encouraged all state officials to hold their seminars in Thailand, instead of in foreign countries.
       Khon Kaen earned Bt5 billion from tourism last year.
       Witoon Kamolnaruemeth, secretary of the Khon Kaen Federation of Thai Industries,said about 47 per cent of the economy in Khon Kaen is industrial, while 15 per cent is commercial,1 per cent tourism and 20 per cent agricultural.
       Nattaphol Wichienplert, deputy governor of Khon Kaen, said the province is positioned by the government as the hub of Indochina as it is located on the East West Economic Corridor.
       It will be the medical hub of the region.