Bangkok Post Travel Column.

Byline: Imtiaz Muqbil

Nov. 5--Two of Thailand's major competitors for the tourist dollar, Singapore and Australia, have announced new crisis-busting initiatives to kick-start their respective industries.

The Australian Tourist Commission was first off the mark with campaigns that will be rolled out across Asia and Japan this week as part of a new push to boost visitor arrivals from the region in the wake of the collapse of Ansett and the Sept 11 attacks in the US.

ATC managing director Ken Boundy said: "An opportunity exists to boost our advertising in Asia and Japan and minimise the impact of recent events by encouraging potential travellers to book their holidays to Australia now."

The A$1.5-million campaign in Asia, comprising of eight print advertisements in five countries, began in Singapore at the weekend and will roll out to Malaysia, Hong Kong, Korea and China this week.

The A$4-million Japan campaign will include four new initiatives, including a national newspaper ad campaign with the largest media travel agent in Japan, Hankyu Trapics, and will support the ad drives already under way. The ATC is also working with its travel agent partners promoting Australia to the group market including incentive travellers and school groups.

Mr Boundy said: "We are now facing some very tough competition for the consumer's travelling dollar, with our competitor destinations increasing advertising and promotions. The ATC will be working with all State and Territory tourist organisations as well as industry and airline partners to maximise the impact of the new campaigns."