Plans outlined for Asean tourism boost

Permanent secretary Sasithara Pichaichannarong yesterday said the first element was a tourism road map, under which the ministry will be working with all fellow Asean members on the development of tourism and related businesses.

The second plan is to initiate new activities both in Thailand and neighbouring countries. The first project is the Asean Youth Games, which is a joint effort between Thailand and Singapore. The event, scheduled for next month, aims to encourage youngsters to participate more in sporting activities in the two countries.

The third plan is to develop intra-regional tourism. This is to make up for the drop-off in arrival numbers due to people avoiding overseas travel because of the global economic downturn.

"The ministry will propose the road map at the Asean Summit, which is currently earmarked to be held in Phuket on June 13-14," Sasithara said.

Meanwhile, in order to reassure inbound tourists, the ministry yesterday signed agreements with 30 insurance firms working with operators bringing visitors to the country.

All foreign tourists will be insured automatically when travelling in Thailand between May 1 and October 31, and will be entitled to compensation of up to US$10,000 (Bt350,000) in the event of injury and up to Bt1 million if killed in an accident.

Sasithara said the ministry had briefed Asean members on the current situation in the Kingdom, during the Asean senior health officials' meeting that took place in Bangkok yesterday. The ministerial-level meeting is being held today.

The ministry briefed officials about the Kingdom's political problems and preventative measures regarding the worldwide swine-flu outbreak.

According to the Phuket Tourism Association, about 4,000 mainly five-star hotel rooms in Phuket have been assigned as official accommodation for Asean Summit delegates.

The meeting is expected to generate revenues of more than Bt100 million and hopefully help revive tourism in Phuket and surrounding provinces such as Krabi and Phang Nga.