THAI TOURISM MINISTER JOINS FIRST APEC TOURISM MEETING

Minister to the Prime Minister’s Office and Tourism Authority of Thailand Chairman Mr Adisai Bodharamik returned from representing Thailand at the First Asia-Pacific Economic Co-operation Tourism Ministerial Meeting during July 6-7 in Seoul.

On behalf of Thailand, the Minister signed the historic APEC Tourism Charter that commits the grouping’s 21 member governments to making a collective effort to improve the economic, cultural, social and environmental wellbeing of APEC member economies through tourism.

Addressing reporters upon his return, Mr Adisai said his visit had been a good opportunity to further outline Thai tourism development policies and to assess the progress of Thai tourism against that of other APEC countries.

He said he had underscored to APEC tourism ministers his desire to promote tourism in provincial areas in Thailand, work on a Tourism Satellite Account, develop sustainable tourism and strengthen relations with international organisations and Asia-Pacific countries.

The Minister commented, “Since tourism is one of the most effective vehicles for dispersing economic benefits particularly at provincial level, Thailand informed its colleagues in the APEC forum that TAT strongly promotes tourism activities and products in the rural areas of Thailand where it can help raise people’s income, quality of life and eventually the country’s economic status.”

Mr Adisai added, “Several training and educational projects will be organised to improve the quality of tourism-related services and products, especially those of small and medium-sized enterprises.”

In addition, Mr Adisai stressed that Thailand would develop the Tourism Satellite Account to allow economic policymakers to better understand the precise earnings and job creation contribution of tourism in the national economy. Moreover, to promote conservation as well as restoration of the country’s arts, culture and tourism resources, Mr Adisai said Thailand would stress the promotion of co-operation between the public and private sectors as well as local communities in solving or preventing tourism-related problems and in developing and managing tourism resources.

Mr Adisai said he had also requested public and private international organisations in Thailand to work closely with the tourism-related organisations of the Asia-Pacific countries to promote sustainable tourism and develop the industry within this region.

Mr Adisai commented, “It is now generally well accepted that foreign exchange earnings from tourism have played a major role in helping the region recover from the economic crisis. We now need to work hard both individually and collectively to ensure that tourism development remains sustainable.”

He said TAT would further strengthen bilateral and international relations with neighbouring countries in the Greater Mekong and ASEAN regions. More joint activities would also be organised to promote the region as a single destination and to position Thailand as a gateway to Indochina.

The APEC Tourism Ministerial Meeting, the first of its kind, was formally inaugurated by South Korean President Kim Dae-Jung.

The Tourism Charter signed by the tourism ministers of 21 APEC member countries is aimed at removing impediments to tourism business and investment, increasing mobility of visitors and demand for tourism goods and services in the APEC region, sustainably managing tourism resources and enhancing recognition and understanding of tourism as a vehicle for economic and social development.

The Meeting also recognised that tourism makes a significant economic contribution to APEC member economies, creates jobs at all economic levels and is an important generator of sustainable business opportunities for SMEs, as well as a catalyst for partnership between the public and private sectors.

Tourism’s economic contribution is highlighted by estimates provided by the World Travel and Tourism Council (WTTC) that tourism and travel in the APEC region presently accounts for more than 100 million jobs, generates over US$2 trillion in travel and tourism related demand and about US$400 billion in export earnings.

In Seoul, Mr Adisai also met with the Chairman of the China National Tourism Administration (CNTA) and the Malaysian Minister of Culture and Tourism to discuss ways to solve the problems of illegal tour companies and guides in their respective countries.

In August, top executives from the tourism ministries and national tourism organisations of China, Hong Kong, S.A.R., Malaysia, Singapore and Thailand will meet in Beijing to develop stronger tourism ties.