COPY MALAYSIA'S TOURISM STRATEGY - THAILAND CONSUL-GENERAL

KOTA BAHARU (Kelantan, Malaysia), July 20 (Bernama) -- The Thai Tourism Office here hopes to work together with its Malaysian counterpart to revive tourism in Southern Thailand which had been compromised by strife and bloodshed.

Kelantan-based Thai Consul-General Surapon Petch-Vra said both sides could take advantage of their similar lifestyle and culture to promote tourism for mutual benefit.

In his speech at a roadshow, "Tourism: Thailand-Malaysia Together" here Tuesday, he said they could work jointly to woo tourists that came to Kelantan to also visit Southern Thailand.

Surapon said he was amazed at the strides that Kelantan had made in tourism.

"It has developed to such an extent that hotels and homestays are
mushrooming to accommodate visitors," he noted.

He said existing bilateral relations needed to be accentuated with more joint programmes to boost tourism in that part of Thailand.

In this regard, he urged tourism agencies in Southern Thailand to strive harder.

"We will be able to manage problems at the border and ensure that the tourism industry will continue to flourish," he added.