Kobkarn sets out progress on joint tourism
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 th
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.
