Dasta draws up Bt2.5-bn plan focusing on 'creative tourism'

"Next year we will focus on strategies of creative and low-carbon tourism," Nalikatibhag Sangsnit, director-general of DASTA, said yesterday. Of the proposed amount, Bt1 billion will be set aside for development of sustainable tourism in designated areas in Nan province, as assigned to DASTA early this year by the former government.

"This is expected to take the lion's share of the total requested budget, as it will involve the relocation of the provincial government centre and the central prison out of the areas," he said.

DASTA is also planning to used Bt600 million to promote and develop community-based tourist attractions under its supervision; Bt310 million to improve service and operation efficiency at Chiang Mai Night Safari; Bt340 million for a five-year sustainable tourism plan for Koh Chang and surrounding areas; and the remainder for other designated areas including in Pattaya, Sukhothai, Loei, Hua Hin and Cha-am.

Nalikatibhag said that under the five-year plan for Koh Chang and surrounding islands, DASTA wanted to promote Koh Mak as "the green island". This project is expected to require about Bt33 million for preparation before introducing it to the industry at ITB Berlin, an international travel fair in Germany.

DASTA is focusing on a co-creation strategy with key organisations including local administrations, the Community-Based Tourism Institute, the Tourism Authority of Thailand and the Ministry of Tourism and Sports, as well as tourism associations.