Junior guides bid to boost tourism by promoting areas they love
Sustainable tourism is the best way to promote a tourist destination, through a genuine love of the locals for their birthplace.
That is what Total Access Communication (DTAC) and Mahidol University International College believe. Together, they teamed up to launch “Junior guides love Nakhon Pathom” – a project aimed at promoting children’s love of their province and developing them to become good hosts in supporting tourism in Thailand. The project encourages and gives children an opportunity to practise their confidence in a creative way.
It is part of DTAC’s CSR project following the successful launch of 3G and 4G services in the province. Social projects will work with government agencies and local organisations on events and social projects in several provinces for the sake of the communities, said Amnat Kosolrod, senior vice-president, head of Regional Business – Central and East.
“Junior guides love Nakhon Pathom” is a project to support tourism, which is critical for Thailand’s economy. In March, 2,532,600 foreigners visited Thailand, up 25.5 per cent from the same period last year. According to the Tourism and Sports Ministry, the number of tourists from Hong Kong grew 151.36 per cent and those from China increased 112.47 per cent.
“This is the time the tourism industry needs more human resources, and we can contribute by cultivating self-awareness in the young generation through the “Junior guides love Nakhon Pathom” project.
“It will give the children an opportunity to practise and convey the information of beautiful tourist attractions and unique Thai culture to travellers,” Amnat said.
The Junior Guides project, in collaboration with lecturers from the Travel Industry Management Department, Mahidol University International College, selected 54 Pathom 5 students from Phra Pathom Chedi School, Nakhon Pathom’s pilot school, for the three-month project running until this month.
The first part of the training includes knowledge of the province and key attractions, how to be a good host, and tour guide practices. The second part includes tour guide field training at Phra Pathom Chedi for a group of 10 students per week, every Friday for eight weeks.
