THAILAND - Chief concerns

TTGasia, Oct 20 - 26, 2006 / No.1499

BANGKOK – New Thai tourism and sports minister, Dr Suvit Yodmani’s, call for greater emphasis on sustainable tourism – and not merely revenue – is viewed as a major departure from Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) policy under the previous government.

Dr Suvit, 64, an environmental and social crusader, who was appointed interim tourism minister last week, said the ministry’s main goal was not only to register high revenue, but also to focus on the environment, security and hospitality.

Dr Suvit, who is expected to remain in the post until new elections are held (the interim government has promised to relinquish power in a year), added the tourism and sports ministry’s 2007 budget request of 24.1 billion baht (US$645 million) was too high. It is a 147 per cent increase, or 14.4 billion baht over this year’s budget.

Dr Suvit, whose previous closest association with the tourism industry involved the production of a coffee-table book, did not indicate his budget request, but said it would come into effect early next year.

The trade has responded warmly to Dr Suvit’s call. Association of Thai Travel Agents (ATTA) president, Mr Apichart Sankary, said: “We need quality tourists, instead of always talking about numbers.”

LTU Asia Tours managing director, Mr Raymond Honings, agreed. “It shouldn’t be about revenue at all costs.”

Dr Suvit also said problems at Suvarnabhumi Airport – especially those involving baggage handling – needed to be solved quickly. Thailand, he added, had the potential to become the tourism capital of Asia, but had to focus on establishing itself as the tourism capital of South-east Asia first.

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