Tourism and Sports Minister Sudawan Wangsuphakijkosol and Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) Governor Thapanee Kiatphaibool yesterday both joined the ‘official opening’ of the three-day event, which actually began on Saturday and concludes today, via online teleconference
Somradee Chitchong, TAT Deputy Governor for Domestic Market, attended the event in person to lead the seminar on ‘Tourism Strategy for 2024’, with Phuket Governor Sophon Suwannarat also attending the official opening yesterday.
More than 500 members of the Tourism Industry Council of Thailand have attended the event, said Wirintra Paphakityotphat, head of the Tourism Council of Thailand (TCT) Region 11 branch, which represents Phuket, Phang Nga and Krabi.
More than 177 businesses are on exhibition at the show, with the opportunity to present products and services to tourism and tourism-related businesses throughout the country, she said.
The event included business matching negotiations to connect tourism between regions, she added.
“Tourist businesses from all over the country have come to exchange views on tourism. The event connects all aspects of tourism to circulate throughout all sectors of the tourism industry at all levels, from small to large, such as travel agencies, tours, boutique hotels, medium and large hotels. passenger transport vehicle operators, restaurants, souvenir shops, and so on,” she said.
The event also includes food and drink making competitions, and displays of skills such as air-conditioning repair techniques.
“We are aiming to find the best chefs in the ATN Culinary Chef Challenge 2023 and professional bartenders in the Southern and Thailand Championships in the ATN 2023 Sommelier Competition. This only adds to our soft power, attracting tourists to come and search for special menus and food skills,” Ms Warintra said.
Chamnan Srisawat, President of Tourism Council of Thailand (TCT), said, “Holding this event is in line with the policy that has been laid out, which has four steps: add capital, add people, add knowledge, add innovation,”
“This is consistent with what all sectors, both government and private, agree that tourism is a ‘Quick Win’ for bringing income into the country,” he added.
“The TAT has set a goal that by the end of 2023 there will be more than 25-30 million tourists entering the country, creating a value of more than B2.38 trillion.
“From Jan 1 - Sept 303, Thailand currently welcomed more than 19mn foreign tourists, representing an economic value of more than B1trn, to be shared by all sectors, with the gift of ‘holding hands and going together’,” Mr Chamnan said.