Friday, January 11, 2008

Tourism that cares

Tourism that cares

In the year of the sufficiency economy, the Thailand Tourism Awards go to small-scale travel destinations and hotels that take care of their neighbourhoods

Published on December 22, 2007

Community initiative was in the spotlight for this year's Thailand Tourism Awards, earning well-deserved kudos for getting people to visit out-of-the-way spots - like four northern hilltribe villages - where they can discover the Thailand beyond the beach, bar and boutique.

The Ministry of Tourism and Sports and the Tourism Authority of Thailand dedicated the awards this year to His Majesty the King on his 80th birthday. It was the King's promotion of a "sufficiency economy" that prompted the recognition of small-scale community tourism.

Sixty-two communities across the country received Awards of Outstanding Performance for implementing and marketing tourism programmes that match the principles of economic sufficiency. The projects earned praise for their visitor facilities and sustainability.

Meanwhile, from among 141 nominated hotels, 40 were awarded for being "environmentally friendly", and four tour operators received Awards of Honour for maintaining high service standards and promoting tourism abroad and at home.

Tourism and Sports Minister Suwit Yodmanee said this year's awards were aimed at encouraging community development that relies on local people, while at the same time taking environment conservation into account.

The three award categories, he said, promote professionalism, high standards and efforts to nurture the image of an industry so crucial to the country's economic prosperity.

A panel of senior public- and private-sector executives and industry officials selected the recipients. Its deputy director, Niramol Metheesuwakul, said the judges visited all of the nominees between March and December.

Of the tourism-minded communities, she said, "Each has its own strength. Some are good at taking care of their surrounding environment, some are excellent at management, some have preserved their cultural heritage well."

The hilltribe villages in Mae Hong Son are Baan Jabo, Ban Mae Lana, Ban HuayTong Kor and Ban Huay Hee.

Also receiving the award were the Tambon Huay Rang Eco-tourism Project, the Salakkok Tourism Club, Ban Namchiew and the Rak Klong Bang Phra Group, all in eastern Trat province, and in Samut Songkhram, Ban Hua Had, Ban Bang Plub, Ban Klong Klone and the Thaka Home Stay Project.

Tourism Authority governor Phornsiri Manoharn said she hoped the awards would help boost cooperation between the public and private sectors and local communities in promoting tourism and conserving natural resources.

Her agency, she said, "will continue to recognise these efforts, because it will definitely help raise the standard for the entire Thai travel and tourism industry".

Vipasai Niyamabha

Special to The Nation

No comments: