TOURISM AUTHORITY OF THAILAND
New TAT chief urged to drive tourism forward
SUCHAT SRITAMA
THE NATION

BANGKOK: -- YUTHASAK SUPASORN, the new governor of the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT), is urged to rush rebuilding tourist confidence ahead of the high season and to work closer with the private sector.

Charoen Wangananont, president of the Association of Thai Travel Agents, the inbound tourism body, said many holidaymakers have halted their trips to Thailand in the wake of the recent bombing at Bangkok's Erawan Shine that killed 20 people including tourists.

The high season starts next month and runs until February.

Yuthasak, 49, was appointed by TAT's board of directors as the new governor, replacing Thawatchai Arunyik, who completed his term in March and stayed on as acting governor.

Yuthasak will officially take over today. He was an executive vice president and the chief financial officer of MCOT Plc.

"The private sector welcomes |him and hopes he will help drive tourism forward. In fact, he already knows what to do and how," Charoen said.

Pornthip Hirunkate, vice president of the Tourism Council of Thailand, said Yuthasak should be concerned about tourists' security and keep them safe while travelling in the country.

Yuthasak said he plans to introduce three immediate polices upon taking up the post: to reassure the global community; stimulate domestic tourism in the wake of the recent tragic bombings in Bangkok; and create a better TAT.

"I'm very honoured to have been selected to this very important post. Thailand has excellent tourism products and services.

"TAT is staffed by capable people who have done a great job in helping to make tourism one of the main pillars of Thailand's economy," he said.

To restore global confidence, TAT's domestic and overseas offices are providing regular updates on the "business as usual" situation in Thailand and reiterating that the country continues to be a welcoming tourist destination.

"In December, TAT will organise a major event to draw tourists," he said.

Promoting domestic tourism |will also be a top priority of the tourism agency, especially for students and senior citizens.

New ways would be found to promote domestic travel not just dur-|ing school holidays and on week-ends but also during weekdays, all-year.

On creating a better TAT, Yuthasak will further streng-|then confidence among people |within and outside the organisa-|tion and build on the existing "TAT spirit" concept to promote good |governance and transparency.

He will reinforce TAT's positioning as the "Guardian of Thai Tourism" to extend its expertise to other organisations.

The plans would build on TAT's strong foundation to improve cooperation with other government agencies, the private sector and partners abroad, and to streamline internal procedures to upgrade the operating efficiency of TAT, a state enterprise.

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/business/New-TAT-chief-urged-to-drive-tourism-forward-30267875.html


-- The Nation 2015-09-01

Lets hope he doesn't use the same spreadsheet software as the last governor, otherwise the wild predictions will never cease.

The unelected governments new word all its agencies chiefs to use is 'transparency'.

I'll believe it when it happens.

Domestic tourism is a joke. These people are up to their eyeballs in debt and facing reduced work hours. TAT beat this drum since the junta took over. How about cleaning up this cesspool of a country or dealing with systemic corruption and incompetence.

A post in violation of fair use policy has been removed.

Drive tourism forward ?

Will that be in the PM's armoured car ?

They don't need a new chief of the TAT. What they need is a TAT staffed with skilled experts...

They don't need a new chief of the TAT. What they need is a TAT staffed with skilled experts...

Skilled experts who will use real numbers instead of the ones they pull out of their ass.

The last director was hysterical. Doubt we will hear much that is new from this new director. It will be business as usual; empty words from empty heads.

"TAT is staffed by capable people who have done a great job in helping to make tourism one of the main pillars of Thailand's economy," he said.

Impossible to make this nonsens up ...

"TAT spirit" am I the only one missing an "s" here?

They've made a great start by upgrading Chiang Mai Immigration and making it the ultimate in customer care and efficiency!

Drive tourism forward ?

Will that be in the PM's armoured car ?

Surrounded by his entourage of brilliantly lit and siren blaring VIP convoy of vans, trucks, and SUVs, with enough motorcycle cops to scare the public off the street.

Live Large: Tourists will appreciate the show.

He already knows what to do and how. Another all-knowing expert going to set things right, immediately. Go man go! Ought to be another round of laughable TAT news entertainment for us!