Government encourages private sector to support community-based tourism

SURAT THANI, Nov 20 – Tourism and Sports Minister Kobkarn Wattanavrangkul has asked members of the Thai Chamber of Commerce to support community-based tourism. In the 35th annual meeting of the nationwide chambers of commerce in Surat Thani, Ms Kobkarn said Thailand was likely to welcome 34 million foreign tourists and generate 2.7 trillion baht from tourism this year. Foreign tourists’ spending was estimated at 1.8 trillion baht. As the government launched the Amazing Thailand Tourism 2018, members of the Thai Chamber of Commerce could support local communities in promoting their tourist attractions to increase tourism-related income and distribute it to community residents. She said, the Amazing Thailand Tourism 2018 campaign focuses on sports tourism, food tourism, water tourism, weddings and honeymoons, medical and health tourism, community-operated tourism and recreational tourism. Ms Kobkarn also said her ministry would try to increase the number of visitors to the Northeast to 150,000-200,000 in three years. She saw the tourism potential of the region for the diversity of its cultures, people, foods and tourist destinations. Promotions for local and regional tourism and products could help distribute income and reduce inequality, she said. (TNA)