TAT, DEP JOIN HANDS IN PROMOTING TRADE AND TOURISM

The Department of Export Promotion (DEP) and Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) are to join forces in a major global effort to promote the country’s two largest generators of foreign exchange, trade and tourism.

Details of the joint co-operation were unveiled at a press conference at the DEP’s head office on August 7 co-chaired by Commerce Minister H.E. Mr. Adisai Bodharamik and Minister to the Prime Minister’s Office and TAT Chairman H.E. Mr. Somsak Thepsutin. Also in attendance were DEP Director-General Mr. Banpote Hongthong and TAT Governor Mr. Pradech Phayakvichien.

Commerce Minister Adisai commented, “Both DEP and TAT have a lot of activities in common. While DEP promotes the sale of manufactured products and reinforces Thailand's image among its trading partners and consumers around the world, TAT promotes the sale of related services and positions the country as a world-class destination.

“Building bridges between the two organisations will help promote the Thai tourism industry and boost export of Thai food products. This will benefit the country’s economy as a whole,” Mr. Adisai added.

TAT Chairman Somsak said, “This government has tried to eliminate the barriers among governmental organisations. Co-operation between DEP and TAT can become a good example for other governmental agencies to follow suit.

“Both organisations have worked closely on a number of projects. These include promoting Thailand as one of the world’s best long-stay destinations and MICE venues as well as enhancing the profile of Thai restaurants overseas in terms of service and cuisine standards,” Mr. Somsak added.

Both DEP and TAT have been given the green light to co-ordinate directly to expedite their working efficiency. They will also share resources in terms of facilities, human resources and information through their domestic and overseas offices.

Major cooperation projects include:

MICE Promotion -- DEP is encouraging major Thai and multi-national import-export companies to organise their MICE events in Thailand while the TAT will work closely with domestic MICE venues, suppliers and accommodation
establishments to attend international MICE trade shows and offer a wider range of value- added services;

Joint participation in international trade and organisation of road shows -- DEP and TAT will jointly participate in major international trade shows and road shows. TAT will be encouraged to join overseas trade promotion exhibitions and road shows organised and participated by DEP, and vice versa;

Promotion of Thai Food -- Both organisations will work closely to help promote Thai food. DEP will set up a website entitled “Thai Food around the World” https://www.depthai.go.th/service by the end of August 2001 and a directory of Thai restaurants and brochure of Thai recipes providing extensive information of each dish such as ingredients, cooking methods, nutritious value and its origin along with local destinations and traditions;

Raising the standards of products and services for long-stay visitors -- To help attract more long-stay visitors to Thailand, specifically retirees, the two agencies will work to boost the quality of products and services required by such clientele. This will involve setting up a standards rating system as well as improving training facilities;

Thailand Grand Sale Campaign -- TAT will further promote the annual Grand Sale by launching special tour packages to attract visitors to Thailand. DEP will co-ordinate with manufacturers of brand-name products in Thailand to offer discounts during the campaign;

Usage of DEP’s overseas trade promotion offices -- DEP will allow TAT to use DEP’s 53 foreign trade promotion offices to promote tourism. At the same time, tourism information about Thailand will be made available through DEP’s foreign trade promotion offices; and DEP has 24 foreign trade promotion offices in traditional markets including North America (6), Europe (10), Japan (3) and Asia (5) as well as 29 offices in new markets including Latin America (3), West Europe (4), Middle East (5), neighbouring countries (5), South Asia (3), Africa (2), Australia (1), China (3), Korea (1), Taiwan (1) and Hong Kong (1).