Dublin, Ireland, 9 December, 2019 – Thailand won the ‘Best Destination Asia and Pacific’ at the 28th Irish Travel Trade Awards Gala Dinner conferred on 22 November, 2019.
About 350 Irish industry representatives attended the gala event organised annually by the Ireland Travel Trade Network to recognise and reward excellence in products and services as voted by Irish travel agents, North and South. Awards were presented in the following categories: Airlines, Destination, Sea Transport, Land Transport, Travel Agency Services and Tour Operators.
RTE presenter and producer Pat O’Mahony was Master of Ceremonies of the evening in which winners of 38 prizes were announced.
TAT Director of the UK, Ireland and South Africa, Ms. Chiravadee Khunsub said, “We are honoured to receive this award on behalf of Amazing Thailand. With a population of just under 5 million, the Irish market continues to deliver impressive levels of visitors’ arrivals to Thailand. In 2018, Thailand hosted 68,742 Irish visitors, and from January to October, this year we attracted 57,009 Irish visitors, up 1.71% over the same period of 2018.
CHIANG MAI (NNT) – The National Research Council of Thailand (NRCT) and the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences (CASS) have launched a ’think-tank’ seminar promoting bilateral social studies and enhancement of national development using innovation, technology and creativity.
The NRCT Deputy Secretary General Wiparat De-ong and CASS Vice President Gao Peiyong today presided over the opening of the second Thailand-China seminar on Thailand-China economic cooperation under the Belt and Road Initiative.
This seminar serves as an exchange platform between Thai and Chinese academics and experts on action against poverty; investment cooperation between China and Thailand; human resources and innovation development. It also serves to create a cooperative network on social studies, education and academic discussion on important topics. Outcomes from this seminar will be used in both countries’ academic fields and as suggestions for national development.
Thailand and China have enjoyed an enhancement of relations as strategic partners, with the Thai government’s 4.0 policy being in keeping with the Belt and Road Initiative by the Chinese government; on national development towards an innovation-led society; the manufacturing sector’s shift towards innovative products and the positioning of the industrial sector to advance the country using technology, creativity and innovation.
The NRCT and CASS have been promoting cooperative social studies between Thailand and China through exchanges of researchers, joint research projects, publication exchanges and the organization of annual seminars hosted alternately by the two countries.
Krung Thai Bank Research Center predicted that in the next 10 years, Chinese tourists will increase by 6.9% per year on average, reflecting the increase of purchasing power of the Chinese middle class.
Growing from 160 million in 2019 to 334 million in 2030 worldwide due to increased purchasing power, Chinese visitors to Thailand should then reach 23 million by 2030 making Thailand the number one destination for tourists from China.
“The changing population structure will create around 33 million new Chinese tourists, with most Chinese tourists aged less than 35 years old, able to access information online and able to travel on their own. “
Dr. Phacharaphon Nantharamat, Senior Director of Krungthai COMPASS Research Center
Chinese tourism to Thailand could increase more than twofold in the next 10 years given that statistics over the last year show that around 11 million Chinese visited Thailand.
Author: Nilanthi Samaranayake, CNA The return of the Rajapaksa family to the leadership of Sri Lanka raises questions about how the country’s foreign policy approaches to India, China and the United States may change. Media reporting immediately after the 16 November election expressed apprehension about Sri Lanka returning to China’s orbit after a presidential campaign […]
The post Sri Lanka’s foreign policy in a new Rajapaksa era appeared first on Thailand – China.
CHIANG MAI(NNT) – The Geminids meteor shower which is expected on the night of 13th December into the morning of 14th December is likely to be less than brightly visible, as moonlight is certain to interfere with the scene.
The National Astronomical Research Institute of Thailand’s (NARIT) Astronomical Academic Services Division chief Supalerk Karuehanon, said today the Geminids meteor shower this year will occur in the evening of 13th December through to the morning with the zenithal hourly rate of 140, and the radiant of the Gemini constellations over the horizon. However, this astronomical event may not be clearly observed as the moon in its waning gibbous phase that night, and will likely outshine the meteor shower.
He said interested persons should wait for the event next year when the night sky will be completely dark, and the meteor shower will be even more frequent at zenithal hourly rate OF 150.
The Geminids is caused when the Earth crosses objects left by 3200 Phaethon asteroids in the solar system. The Earth’s gravity will bring those objects down into the atmosphere, where air and gas will cause friction and heat to affect the objects resulting in meteors or fireballs as the objects burn before falling to the ground. The meteor shower is distinguishable from ordinary meteors, as the meteor shower would radiate from a radiant. The name of a meteor shower is based on the proximity of the radiant to a constellation, such as the Geminids and the Leonids.
BANGKOK (NNT) – The Ministry of Finance has instructed government banks to help strengthen grassroots economies, which will positively impact the overall national economic system.
The Minister of Finance, Uttama Savanayana has delivered special remarks on the overall grassroots economy, in which he said the Thai economy can only be robust based on the strength of the grassroots economy, so various sectors must join forces in community development.
He said community development should be boosted through the creation of opportunities, occupational knowledge, markets and retail spaces including online access to community products, and improved access to capital by government banks such as the Government Savings Bank, the Bank for Agriculture and Agricultural Cooperatives, and SME Bank.
The government has already launched an initiative to sell community products at PTT petrol stations, which can be linked to tourism in local cities. The government also sees the need to support community based tourism and the development of homestays and community products, by allowing villagers to use state property as places to open markets. This will help promote tourism and mean more spending via the government’s wallet app as part of the Chim Shop Chai campaign, said the Finance Minister.
The Asian Development Bank (ADB) has trimmed its forecasts for economic growth in developing Asia this year and next year as growth in the People’s Republic of China (PRC) and India is weighed down by both external and domestic factors.
In a supplement to its Asian Development Outlook 2019 Update released in September, ADB now expects gross domestic product (GDP) in the region to expand 5.2% in both 2019 and 2020, down from the September forecast of 5.4% growth this year and 5.5% next year.
Southeast Asia’s growth forecast is revised down slightly to 4.4% for 2019, as economic weakening in Singapore and Thailand prompts downward adjustments to their growth forecasts. Projected subregional growth in 2020 is maintained at 4.7%.
Thailand’s economy expanded by only 2.5% in January– September this year as growth moderated for private consumption and for public consumption and investment. Weaker trade also dragged on growth, with export declines in both agriculture and manufacturing. Imports similarly declined in line with weaker domestic demand. The growth forecast for 2019 is adjusted down from 3.0% in the Update to 2.6%, and the growth forecast for 2020 is adjusted down from 3.2% to 3.0%.
“While growth rates are still solid in developing Asia, persistent trade tensions have taken a toll on the region and are still the biggest risk to the longer-term economic outlook. Domestic investment is also weakening in many countries, as business sentiment has declined”
ADB Chief Economist Mr. Yasuyuki Sawada
“Inflation, on the other hand, is ticking up on the back of higher food prices, as African swine fever has raised…
“Thailand Tourism’s Role in Redefining a Destination – from the Past 60 Years towards the Future” Speech by Mr. Tanes Petsuwan, Deputy Governor for Marketing Communications, TAT Friday, 29 November 2019, 1400-1420 Hrs. (20 minutes) at Renaissance Pattaya Resort & Spa ———————————–
Introduction
Sawasdee khrap and good afternoon distinguished guests, members of the media, ladies and gentlemen.
It is my pleasure to be here with you today at the PATA Destination Marketing Forum 2019 in Pattaya. This resort city has a special place in the history of both Thailand and PATA.
Over the past 60 years, Pattaya has evolved from a sleepy little fishing village to a rest and recreation stop to now being a major tourist spot. Presently, Pattaya is also an ideal family destination. This includes Chon Buri as a whole. The area has diversified its attractions to now include places like the Motion Master Moving Theatre, Legend Siam Pattaya, Nong Nooch Garden, Pattaya Go-Kart Speedway, the Lakeland Water Cable Ski, Bamrung Sailing and Paramotor Centre, and so on.
The history of Thailand’s travel, tourism and transportation linkages with the neighbouring Mekong countries can also be traced back to Pattaya. It was at the PEACH Convention Centre, Royal Cliff Beach Resort, the host of the annual PATA conference in 1996, that an agreement was signed to create the Agency for Coordinating Mekong Tourism Activities (AMTA). This brought together all the regional national tourism organisations along with TAT and PATA, the Asian Development Bank and the UN Economic Social and Economic Commission for Asia and the Pacific in a united effort to help harness the potential of the entire Mekong tourism region.
The fruits of that effort can be clearly seen today. So, I would like to wish all PATA members and supporters a warm welcome back.
Ladies and gentlemen,
Let me begin with a few words about Thailand’s tourism situation. In 2018, we welcomed 38 million international tourist arrivals, up by 7 percent, generating an estimated 58 billion USD up by 8 percent over 2017. So far this year from January to September, we have recorded 29.4 million visitors, up 3.5 percent, generating nearly 50 billion USD over the same period of 2018.
For 2019, we are forecasting 39.8 million foreign tourists generating an estimated 66 billion USD to Thailand’s tourism revenue.
We have come so far, but our paths were not always an easy one. Let’s turn back time to the beginning…
The Journey of Amazing Thailand (1960-1979, 1980-2002, 2003-present).
The history of Thai tourism over the past 60 years can be divided into 3 periods. Each period has been influenced by its own economic, social and political dynamics, which have affected the industry. Each period is separated by a “turning point” which I will elaborate on.
Period 1: The Beginning (1960-1979)
This period began with the establishment of a national agency to promote tourism known as the Tourism Organisation of Thailand (TOT) in 1960.
Do you know how many visitors came to Thailand in 1960? – 81,340 visitors.
The number increased to over 1 million for the first time in 1973, generating tourism revenue of more than 3 billion Baht for the country.
During this period, TAT also established 8 overseas tourism promotion offices as well as 6 domestic offices.
After the establishment of our offices around the world, to support the responsibility to promote Thailand’s tourism, the Tourism Organisation of Thailand was reformed to be the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) in 1979.
Apart from TAT, many private tourism sectors were established during this period; such as, the Thai Hotel Association (THA), Association of Thai Travel Agents (ATTA), and Professional Tourist Guide Association of Thailand (PGAT).
Period 2: Development amongst crises (1980 – 2002).
The interesting point of this period was about including the tourism development plan in the fourth National and Social Development Plan for the first time.
In 2002, tourism gained ground gradually with foreign visitor arrivals rising to 10 million in spite of numerous crises; such as, the world economic recession, global political crises including the Persian Gulf War and September 11 (9/11). It was inevitable that these crises affected the tourism industry, but we could bounce back from these challenging times by our strength from within, domestic tourism.
Also, in 2002, the Ministry of Tourism and Sports was established with the authority and responsibilities to support and develop tourism along with the sports and recreation industry. Meanwhile, TAT’s responsibility has focussed on marketing and PR since then.
Period 3: Digital Era & Go Green (2003-present)
This could be cited as the period of the beginning of globalisation along with the advent of technology and the growth of low-cost airlines. During this period, the Thai tourism industry became one of the main sources of income for Thailand.
Various tourism sectors were established during this period; such as, the Designated Areas for Sustainable Tourism Administration (DASTA) and Thailand Convention and Exhibition Bureau (TCEB).
At the same time, we hit some speed bumps in the form of the domestic political situation, natural disasters, epidemic outbreak in Asia (SARS), the increasing of competitors, and the over tourism concern, which led us to the way of sustainable tourism. As a result, TAT established the Green Leaf Foundation in 1998, followed by bringing awareness of green tourism with the 7 Greens project.
Successful PR Campaigns
For many decades, TAT has launched various tourism campaigns to promote the tourism industry of the kingdom. I am proud to say that many of them were highly successful. It is all thanks to the utmost effort from everyone in the public and private sectors, especially the Thai people who were excellent hosts to our visitors.
Let me recollect few of our tourism campaigns;
The Visit Thailand Year was first introduced in 1980 and became a successful campaign with an increase of 10 and 22 percent from visitor numbers and revenue, respectively. This achievement led to the second Visit Thailand Year in 1987.
The long run of the “Amazing Thailand” campaign was brought to the world in 1998. It became one of the world’s most recognisable and high-profile campaigns.
By 2001, foreign tourists to Thailand were up to 10 million. In 2004, TAT’s Mascot of “Nong Sukjai” was introduced.
2003 was a successful year in promoting domestic tourism in Thailand. TAT proposed a tourism promotion campaign called “Unseen Thailand”, while stimulating tourism with a domestic tourism project called“Travel around Thailand can go every month”.
– Along with our ‘Amazing Thailand’, our latest communication concept “Open to the New Shades” has been used since late 2017 encouraging travellers to expand their experiences and uncover a new perception of attractions in Thailand. It is aimed at attracting more repeat visitors to seek the ‘shade’ unexplored and also first-time visitors.
The Future: 60th Anniversary of Thailand tourism
Distinguished guests,
2020 will be a very important year for Thailand, as we will mark the sixtieth anniversary of the official establishment of the Thai tourism industry. As earlier mentioned, in the first year, in 1960, we received a little over 80,000 international arrivals which are minute when compared to the number we received last year. So, TAT will be using this historic milestone of the country’s tourism industry as an opportunity to take a look back as well as a look ahead. We see a clear need to refresh our value proposition and expand our range of product offerings.
As such, we will have key messages highlighting the importance of responsible tourism and being good hosts under the theme of “Next steps towards a sustainable Thailand”.
In our approach, sustainable means to use tourism as a tool to reduce the inequalities and disparities. This is usually framed within the context of boosting earnings from tourism. However, it is more important to be socially responsible and focus on enhancing earnings. Sustainability itself is a very sensitive process and must include the social context as well as the fragility of the environment. Thus, it is equally important to focus on quality as in the quality of our work, and attracting quality clients. Visitors who come to Thailand all come to enjoy our nature, culture, cuisine and all the wonderful aspects of what we call “Thainess”.
Apart from that, to celebrate the occasion of 60 years of the Thai tourism industry, TAT’s overseas offices will organise an “Amazing Thailand Week” in the last week of May. This is a tactical campaign that TAT will cooperate with strategic partners; such as, airlines, tour operators, Thai restaurants, and all suppliers in Thailand…
