TOURISM
Kobkarn sets out progress on joint tourism
Suchat Sritama
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- The Tourism and Sports Ministry is pressing ahead with plans under the "Asean Connectivity Project", under which Thailand aims to improve linkage with neighbouring countries, in a bid to boost arrivals from Asean markets as well as from those outside the regional grouping.

Tourism and Sports Minister Kobkarn Wattanavrangkul yesterday said the government would continue to develop connectivity and infrastructure systems, both land and air, to link the Kingdom with those countries with which it shares a border.

This ties in with the national tourism master plan, under which the government wants to boost tourist arrivals not only from Asean nations, but also from third countries.

"This is called the Asean Connectivity Project. We aim to link our country with neighbouring countries, by either land or air," she said.

Kobkarn explained that the ministry had already signed an agreement on tourism cooperation with five neighbours and near-neighbours within Asean; Myanmar, Cambodia, Malaysia, Singapore and Vietnam.

The six nations have also mapped out tourism marketing strategies aimed mainly at promoting each country's unique history and highlighted natural sites.

"We plan to launch new routes consisting of unspoiled and uncovered products located in each country," said the minister.

The agreement is expected to bring more opportunity for Thailand, and also to strengthen the country as a gateway into the region.

Furthermore, Thailand is in talks with Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar and Vietnam over single-visa entry, which is expected to help increase arrival numbers into the four CMLV counties to 25 million annually.

Kobkarn said the ministry would promote Chiang Mai to link with the major Myanmar cities of Yangon, Mandalay and Nay Pyi Taw, in a bid to boost tourist from third countries as well as from the region.

Moreover, Thailand and Cambodia are set to promote "Two Kingdoms, One Destination", developing Aranyaprathet district in Sa Kaeo province in southern part of Isaan and linking it with Cambodia.

To the south, the ministry will promote cross-border tourism with Malaysia through sport activities, she said, adding that Malaysia itself already had launched a regional travel TV channel - Go Asean - to promote its attractions and those elsewhere in Southeast Asia.

Thailand and Singapore have also been discussing plans to develop ports for cruise and marine tourism, while the Kingdom and Vietnam are engaged in ongoing talks on hero routes in the two countries.

According to the ministry, international arrivals in Thailand from January to March 25 totalled around 11.9 million, 19 per cent up from same period last year and generating about Bt578 billion.

China was the top source of visitors, with some 2 million arrivals.

The Tourism Authority of Thailand has set a target of 28 million foreign tourists this year, generating about Bt1.4 trillion in revenue.

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/business/Kobkarn-sets-out-progress-on-joint-tourism-30261960.html


-- The Nation 2015-06-10

"This ties in with the national tourism master plan"? Whqt could possibly go wrong ;-)

Sorry about that but really " the master plan " please spare me

I do love a good laugh in the morning and TOT are sure to oblige LOL

The one thing that can go wrong. Is that strange way of life, not known outside of Thailand. Called Thainess

"Two Kingdoms, One Destination, No elections"

Is this the new name for trafficking in humans.

Joint tourism- are they luring old Hippies now? Or is it because this idea is another pipe dream?

Any of you get a chance to go to Burma it's $100 round trip airfare. English is on par with Thailand if not superior. The beach south of Yangon is about 4 hours by taxi but is pristine. So few visitors that your taxi driver won't take you there unless he can remain with you and then drive you back as there are not enough/any taxis just hanging out. Burmese food is amazing but my Thai wife said it's too greasy (like Indian curry).

There are already many Thais going there. In fact our guide said its one of the biggest groups going.

You can do visa on line for Burma and takes about 2 days.

For Vietnam I didn't see many Thais going there but lots of Farangs. If you go it's more of a hassle on several levels.

My point is I hope this initiative opens up these other markets like Thailand has apparently got Burma to do.

Is this the new name for trafficking in humans.

Two Kingdoms, One Destination,100s of camps"

Or that would be Thailand -Malaysia tourist liaison stratagem

she ought to take some laughing gas and entertain TAT.