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Published on February 28, 2008

It will be the first time the minister has officially talked with the private sector since he was appointed several weeks ago.

Weerasak has already discussed tourism policies with the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) and ministry officials.

Key tourism bodies including the Tourism Council of Thailand (TCT), Thai Hotels Association, Association of Thai Travels Agents (ATTA), Thai Travel Agents Association (TTAA) and Thai Airways International are preparing their suggestions and plans for the meeting.

TCT president Kongkrit Hiranyakit said the council would urge the minister to put more effort into the tourism industry by adding more strategies and also playing a greater role in development.

TCT will also propose that the minister address conflicts among associations that have been contributing to a lack of integration in development.

"Tourism is a huge sector that comprises many related bodies, so it easy for conflicts to develop," said Kongkrit. "However, TCT is ready to be a centre to list all the problems from all operators for the ministry."

The council will also call on the government to build mega-projects to attract tourists to take longer stays and spend more money.

"Large projects should be built in Phuket, Chiang Mai, the Northeast and Bangkok," he said. The huge projects are expected to need a budget of Bt30 billion to Bt50 billion.

Weerasak wants an aggressive tourism target of double-digit growth this year, higher than the average rate of about 8 per cent for other Asian nations.

TTAA president Anake Srishevachart said operators were calling on agencies to rebuild the confidence of tourists in the short term, particularly over security matters.

The association will call on the minister to meet more often with the private sector to get a true picture so that he could work in the right direction.

Apichart Sankary, president of ATTA, said operators also proposed the ministry seek a greater budget in order to lift the tourism sector.

Weerasak said the talks were set to boost quality tourism as part of new government strategies including the announcement of 2008 and 2009 as years of tourism and investment.

"To boost investment in tourism, the ministry is working with other agencies such as the Commerce, Agriculture and Finance ministries for help," he said.

Among measures being prepared are joint initiatives with neighbouring countries such as Laos, Burma, Vietnam, Indonesia and India.

Suchat Sritama

The Nation