Thai government wants Phl as an ally in tourism campaign

CEBU, Philippines - Thailand may be considered as a competitor in terms of attracting the world’s tourists market, now both destinations can work together capitalizing on complementary attractions.

Tourism Authority of Thailand director Kanokkittia Kritwutikon expressed his confidence that the Philippine can be better in terms of luring more tourists, however it has to fix its infrastructure and airline access first.

He said although there is an existing bilateral agreement with the Philippines and Thailand, there is no concrete and official program of which both countries can have partnership in terms of marketing.

At present, there is a joint effort from the ASEAN to come up with joint promotional campaign to attract more travelers to visit the different, and diverse destination in ASEAN member countries, but if Thailand and the Philippines could come up a special program for promotion it would be good for both countries.

Kritwutikon, together with other officials from Tourism Authority, was in the Philippines, for a promotion roadshow to invite more Filipinos to visit the “Amazing Thailand”. The delegation was in Cebu late last week to showcase the different attractions of Thailand to Cebuanos and travel operators.

According to  Kritwutikon Thailand is not considering the Philippines as competitor, instead if both countries can be allies in inviting tourists to visit both countries.

While the Philippines is aiming to hit 10 million tourists by 2016, Thailand ended 2012 with a total of 22 million tourists visit to the country.

He said the number one nationality that visit Thailand last year, were the Chinese (from China), while interest Indian travelers to his country improved significantly to one million.

The Philippines, he said has many advantages in attracting more travelers, because of its diverse attractions, however, improvement in service, and infrastructural  air access should be given utmost attention.

In 2012, there were a total o 288,000 Filipinos visited Thailand, this was increase o 6.7 percent from the previous year. Kritwutikon attributed the improvement of Filipino arrivals to Thailand last year due to the accessibility of air transport, as well as the strengthening brand of Thailand as one of the world’s tourism hot-spots.

Although, Thailand has practically everything a tourist can look for in a destination, it has successful carved its niche in health and eco-tourism.

This time, he said Thailand is also starting to attract more educational tour trips from different countries.

Just like the Philippines, he said Thailand has also limited resources for tourism promotion, however, he said his office which is the marketing arm of the Ministry of Tourism in Thailand is partnering with private sector to further promote their country to tourists around the world.

Tourism, is one of Thailand’s revenue contributor. Kritwutikon said his government is putting tourism developments as one of its top priorities.

He added that while, the western countries specially United States and Europe are struggling financially, Thailand is getting good number of Asian tourists visiting his country.  (FREEMAN)