Twelve contestants in the annual Czech beauty contest, along with organizers and accompanying media members, visited the kingdom last January as part of efforts by the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) to generate publicity and attract more visitors from the new member countries of the European Union.

The Miss Czech 2008 Beauty Contest is organised annually by Czech National Television. The show is widely watched across the country, as the winner goes on to represent the Czech Republic in the annual Miss Universe pageant.

This year’s Miss Czech contest will highlight Thailand as the backdrop destination for the various fashion and other film-shoots featured in the TV campaign.

The contestants visited Bangkok, Pattaya and Phuket, taking in popular spots such as the Temple of Emerald Buddha, Grand Palace, Temple of Dawn, Siam Paragon, King Power Duty Free, Siam Niramit, Ancient City, Nong Nooch Garden, Pattaya Beach, Tiffany Show, Phromthep Cape, Panyee Island, Phuket Fantasea, Kata Beach, Karon Beach and Patong Beach, among other popular spots.

These shots will be broadcast in the final round of the Miss Czech 2008 Contest on 15 March, 2008, at 20.00 hrs on TV Nova, a well-known Czech Republic TV channel.

A member of the European Union since 2004, the Czech Republic has a population of ten million and a rapidly growing middle-class due to increased investments pouring into the country, especially from other EU member countries.

Tourism Authority of Thailand Governor Mrs Phornsiri Manoharn said “We agreed to support this beauty contest because of the valuable exposure it will generate for Thai tourism destinations in a promising new source market in terms of visitor arrivals.

“As the Czech Republic and other new EU member countries become more economically integrated, it will certainly facilitate travel, initially within Europe and then of course beyond to long haul destinations like Asia.”

Beside the TV promotions, the organisers have also agreed to publicise Thailand via billboards featuring Thai tourism destinations all over the capital city of Prague as well as advertising on a leading radio programme for three months and articles in the local daily newspaper and leading magazines.

Arrivals from the East Europe region are small but growing rapidly. In 2007, arrivals from all the Eastern Europe countries totalled 148,302, up 34.68% over 2006. The average length of stay is about 13 days and the expenditure level is high, especially on shopping.

Contact information:
International Public Relation Division
Tel: +66 (0) 2250 5500 ext. 4545-48
Fax: +66 (0) 2253 7419
E-mail: prdiv3@tat.or.th
Web site: www.tatnews.org