Thailand to host World Tourism Day 2016

BANGKOK, September 7 (TNA) - Thailand will host the World Tourism Day (WTD) 2016 in Bangkok and the northeastern Khon Kaen Province late this month, a global event of which potential of the Thai tourism can be demonstrated internationally. Thai Tourism and Sports Minister Kobkarn Wattanavrangkura told journalists of the information on September 6, saying that the WTD falls on every September 27 as designated by the United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO). This year, Kobkarn noted, Thailand has been chosen by UNWTO to host activities marking the WTD during September 26-27, themed tourism for all, equal access. The minister stated that UNWTO senior executives and leaders of the tourism industry from 157 countries worldwide will join the activities and celebrate the WTD 2016 in Thailand. According to the minister, Thai Prime Minister General Prayut Chan-ocha will preside over the opening ceremony of the WTD 2016 event and deliver a special speech on "Tourism for All, Thailand’s Context Within the International Arena". "UNWTO remains confident in Thailand’s security measures and host of the WTD events, while the local public and the private sectors have joined forces to promote and demonstrate the country’s tourism potential and equal access for all in a sustainable aspect through facilities friendly to physically–challenged people and the elderly, as well as communication facilitations and other technologies accessible for all travellers", the minister told reporters. During the WTD celebration, the minister pointed out, charms and tourism potential of the Thai Northeast will be displayed internationally through Khon Kaen in order to attract more global tourists to the region. The minister revealed that a seminar on “Tourism for All, Equal Access”, as well as singing and musical performances of disabled artists from the From the Street to Stars Project will also be part of the WTD celebration. (TNA)