THAI TOURISM INDUSTRY HONOURS ITS BEST AND BRIGHTEST

The Thai tourism industry today rewarded its best and brightest with a series of awards to mark their work in promoting the professionalism, standards and image of one of the country’s most important foreign exchange earning industries.
The Third Thailand Tourism Awards, the Friends of Thailand Awards and the inaugural Tourist Guide Awards had a special significance on September 27, 2000 as it marked both World Tourism Day as well the 40th anniversary of TAT’s founding.

The colourful bi-annual awards ceremony was held at the Vibhavadee Ballroom of the Central Grand Plaza Hotel, presided over by Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Public Health H.E. Mr. Korn Dabbaransi. Also in attendance were Minister of the Prime Minister’s Office and Tourism Authority of Thailand Chairman H.E. Mr. Adisai Bodharamik, Governor Pradech Phayakvichien and hundreds of other industry luminaries.

In his speech, Deputy Prime Minister Korn lauded all award winners for their contribution towards enhancing the image and prestige of the travel and tourism industry.

The Award Winners include national parks, historical parks and museums, arts and cultural centres, hotels and resorts, inbound and domestic operators, and travel and tourism media, which have worked hard at improving their standards and quality of their products for both international and domestic tourists.
Winners of the Award of Excellence were:
Best Tourist Attractions
1. Best Natural Tourist Attraction: Chae Son National Park, Lampang

2. Best Cultural and Historical Attraction: Si Thep Historical Park, Petchabun


Best Cultural and Historical Tourist Attraction: Phuket Fantasea,


4. Best Town and Local Attraction: The Ban Khok Kong – Phu Thai Cultural Village, Kalasin


Best Tourist Accommodation

1. Best City Accommodation: The Grand Hyatt Erawan, Bangkok

2. Best Resort Accommodation: The Fern Rimtan Resort, Mae Hong Son


Best Tour Programmes

1. Best Domestic Tour Programme: Camping Bike Company Limited


2. Best Inbound Tour Programme: “Tourism For Health”, Chiva Som International Health Resort

3. Best Conservation/Preservation Organisation: Institute of Marine Science, Burapha University, Chonburi

4. Best Conservation/Preservation Project: The Kung Krabaen Bay Royal Development Study Centre, Chanthaburi

-- Best Tourism Publicity

1. Best Tourism Mass Media: “From Traitreung to Si Satchanalai… Thai Treasure, World Heritage” by Chamrat Chuengthirapanich of Advance Thailand Geographic Magazine


2. Best Tourism Television: “Cultural Tourism” from the Blue World television series, sponsored by Siam Commercial Bank


TAT Chairman Adisai commented, “The Thailand Tourism Awards aim to honour private and public tourism-related organisations for innovation and creativity in the field of sustainable tourism, conservation and environmental protection efforts.”

“It is extremely important that all those hosting visitors continue to offer the highest standards possible in order to ensure that Thailand maintains its qualitative edge in an highly competitive global industry.”

Meanwhile, the Friends of Thailand Awards honoured foreign individuals and companies worldwide who have contributed to the success of Thai tourism.
A total of 86 Friends of Thailand Awards were presented in four major categories: 23 individual supporters from 15 countries, 14 international media from 13 countries, 33 international tour operators from 27 countries and 11 international airlines from nine countries.

“The Friends of Thailand Awards are intended to recognise all those who have contributed their time and effort towards bringing more visitors to Thailand and/or otherwise helped portray the many reasons that make Thailand an attractive destination. At any time, there are hundreds of friends who assist us in many ways and we need to give them credit for their efforts,” said TAT Governor Pradech.
“Their support is invaluable in helping us better position Thailand on the international tourist map.”

In addition, TAT also initiated the First Tourist Guide Awards to recognise quality tour guides who have endeavoured to high levels of professionalism as well as to encourage other tour guides to follow suit.

Nine dedicated tour guides from all regions of Thailand handling both domestic and inbound business were the first recipients of this award. TAT Governor Pradech commented, “The Tourism Guide Awards are part of our efforts to encourage higher levels of performance by qualified and licensed tour guides who gave good service and did their jobs above and beyond the call of duty.”