Thailand - Thailand works to preserve 'sustainable tourism'

The Designated Areas for Sustainable Tourism Administration (DASTA) is working against time to promote its cause across the country before implementation of the Asean Economic Community (AEC) in 2015.

If it fails, it fears that tourism operators, mainly small and medium-sized enterprises, will go out of business or be swallowed up by bigger players. New tourism business models will be put in place and communities will lose their unique identities, said Nalikatibhag Sangsnit, DASTA's director-general.

The AEC will intensify competition in the tourism sector. Thailand will have to carve out a clear position in the region, and not rely solely on promoting itself as a cheap destination. The country will compete with the other nine nations in the AEC, some of which are far cheaper. They also offer similar tourism products, some of which are far better than Thailand's as pristine destinations. Therefore, Thailand should convey a single promotional message to make a bigger impact, says DASTA, a public organisation.

The country should not keep focusing on tourist numbers. Instead, it should think of how to get these tourists to stay longer and spend more. The hidden cost of rising tourist numbers is environmental damage, the administration says.

In terms of sustainability, Nalikatibhag said the local community should design its local tourism by itself. Most important, tourism money spent in the community should be used to build and strengthen that community, rather than leaving the area.

He was speaking at a conference on the "Final Call: Stepping Stone to Sustainable Tourism in Thailand", a two-day event that ends today Tuesday 20 and the largest held by DASTA since it was established in 2003. The objective was to collect opinions from different parties including hotel operators, local people, and academics to define its direction. There were 300 people in attendance.

This year, DASTA will continue working on two key areas to promote sustainability - creative and low-carbon tourism - Nalikatibhag said.

Creative tourism is not about tourism products, but about how to create value with activities via stories, reflecting each local identity. The agency helps provide ideas and work with local people.

As for the low-carbon concept, he said the tourism industry was partly responsible for climate change due to greenhouse-gas emissions. Operators should recognise this issue by creating awareness programmes to go with their businesses. For example, they might manage garbage collection, or organise such activities as cycling or mountain climbing.

Currently, designated areas run by DASTA include Koh Chang and vicinity, Chiang Mai Night Safari, Pattaya city and vicinity, and Sukhothai, Si Satchanalai and Kamphaeng Phet historical parks.

Bamrung Amnatcharoenrit

 The Nation

Business & Investment Opportunities

YourVietnamExpert is a division of Saigon Business Corporation Pte Ltd, Incorporated in Singapore since 1994. As Your Business Companion, we propose a range of services in Consulting, Investment and Management, focusing three main economic sectors: International PR; Healthcare & Wellness;and Tourism & Hospitality. We also propose Higher Education, as a bridge between educational structures and industries, by supporting international programs. Sign up with twitter to get news updates with @SaigonBusinessC. Thanks.