State agency-backed digital platform helps keep SMEs competitive in tourism sector

Nuttapon Nimmanphatcharin, president/CEO of Depa, told a press conference held online on Monday that the country's small and medium-sized businesses (SMEs) in the tourism sector are currently required to create some creative and distinctive content to display online in order to attract tourists.

He revealed that it was one of the strategies for keeping SMEs competitive with big business.

Depa has partnered with Safe T Travel, a Thailand travel platform that uses artificial intelligence (AI) and big data to analyse tourists' preferences and travel demands, to effectively support SMEs.

The platform will provide comprehensive tourism information in digital content that meets the needs of both groups. As a result, Thailand's SMEs now can access a quality affordable platform while other startups can plug in to offer their services.

Safe T, he explained, is an abbreviation for Safe Thailand. It means that local SMEs must contribute to the preservation of the country's tourism industry by developing their own distinct identity and promoting it to the rest of the world.

"This is accomplished by gathering accurate information, which is then processed and presented using digital technology. Digital technology assists tourists in making more informed decisions. Similarly, digital technology helps to stimulate qualitative tourism while also boosting Thailand's tourism sector," said Nuttapon.

Safe T Travel's chief marketing officer, Phanumet Setthasirisoonthron, said that the company's 100 per cent Thai digital platform service provider offers tourism-related information such as accommodation, transportation, restaurants, local guides, activities, souvenir shops, and self-care locations.

Tourists can make advance reservations and payments through the QueQ application, which is another collaborator in this project. Aside from restaurants, the online service can be used at tourist attractions and park areas.

Furthermore, the QueQ application provides notification service, alerting tourists when the booking time approaches.

Senior marketing officer of Queue Q (Thailand), Suwimon Boontan, added that the application reduces density in high-demand areas, handles unlimited users, and benefits restaurants and Thailand tourism.

Nuttapon stated that Depa will provide and support knowledge development for entrepreneurs who lack the skills and understanding required to create digital content about their businesses using digital technology. This is done to help Thai businesses gain exposure and broaden tourists' perceptions.

"The platform will increase tourists' trust in using safe and standard-compliant services," he concluded. "It opens up new opportunities for attracting new groups of tourists and provides dispersed visits to secondary city areas. This is regarded as a source of income for various Thai communities."

Depa anticipates that more than 10,000 entrepreneurs will join the platform, increasing their business competitiveness, adding value to the tourism industry, reducing reliance on foreign platforms, and assisting in the transformation of the country's economy into the next phase of the digital economy and society.