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Excellencies, Distinguished Delegates, Ladies and Gentlemen,
On behalf of the Royal Thai Government and the people of Thailand, I am pleased to extend my warmest welcome to you all to Thailand and to Pattaya, one of our World class beach resort. If this visit is your first time, please spend more time enjoy all Pattaya has to offer. As for those who have been here before, I hope that this time Pattaya would satisfy you even more and bring more of the enjoyment.
It is indeed our great pleasure and honor for Thailand to host the 55th Pacific Asia Travel Association’s Annual Conference (PATA) or in short known as PAC 06 because this is the fourth time that our country has been selected as a venue for these events. The PATA Annual Conference is the most important events for tourism industry because they enable all parties concerned to meet, exchange views and do business. This year we are pleased to welcome more than 1,100 participants from 40 countries to this conference.
Excellencies, Distinguished Delegates, Ladies and Gentlemen,
Today’s world is very different from the past, but serious challenges to human security, and social and economic development remain. The challenge of our time is to enable everyone to live with peace, dignity and freedom. Tourism industry helps us cope with these challenges. This conference is being held at a time when there is growing recognition of the role that tourism can play in a stable and peaceful future of mankind. In essence, tourism is a hospitality industry; hospitality gives rise to warmth and friendship; and warmth and friendship are key factors in creating mutual understanding, tolerance and respect. Given the projected expansion of tourism, I believe that tourism can make even greater contributions to the spread of international understanding and peace. We should, therefore, put all of our effort to sustain this industry.
The theme of the conference this year “Changing Lifestyles – New Opportunities”, demands not only our own attention, but also that of the world at large. The scale and pace of tourism industry in Asia and the Pacific affect the growth of major economic and social issues, such as job creation, income distribution, as well as betterment of people lifestyles. This influence can only increase in the future as tourism industry expands and spreads across the entire region.
As for Thailand, the Ministry of Tourism and Sports has set out a comprehensive range of strategies to promote sustainable development of tourism industry. The strategy comprises six guidelines for tourism development during 2004-2008. This includes the development of tourism personnel, tourist attractions, infrastructure and transportation links, tourism industrial standards, integrated tourism management, and the promotion of tourism research and development.
This tailor made strategy focuses on articulating directions and identifying opportunities that need to be improved. By 2008, with special emphasis on quality tourism services in its marketing drive, we expect to achieve our vision that makes Thailand recognized globally as the “Tourism Capital of Asia”.
Excellencies, Distinguished Delegates, Ladies and Gentlemen,
Thailand has adopted a people-centered development policy which stands alongside democracy and good governance. Continued sustainable development of the tourism industry is central to this policy. Through a foreign policy of “forward engagement”, Thailand is planning to work closely with other countries in terms of regional and sub-regional development cooperation frameworks and trade agreements. We believe that sharing experience and best practices, especially in the areas of agricultural development, public health, and tourism would close economic gap between countries in the region.
At the regional level, the Ayeyawady- Chao Phraya – Mekong Economic Cooperation Strategy or ACMECS is a cooperation framework to utilize member countries’ diverse strengths, and to promote balanced development in the sub-region. Its activity-based cooperation in the area of tourism emphasizes the promotion of a joint strategy for tourism cooperation among countries concerned and other regions.
Furthermore, the East Asian community is also gaining strength in this industry. Its first Summit last December has changed the landscape and the definition of the region by having Australia, New Zealand as well as India participate. In addition, Thailand took a role in starting the Asia Cooperation Dialogue or ACD which now comprises 28 countries or three quarters of Asia as its members. These forums have been instrumental to boost tourism cooperation among member countries and pull more and more tourist attractions of each member country together.
However, these goals need to be recognized by all countries that wish to become or to remain competitive by global standards. I believe that this conference, through exchanging of good practices and rich experiences, is one of the most important steps to develop tourism in our region.
Excellencies, Distinguished Delegates, Ladies and Gentlemen,
I am delighted inform you that 2006 is an auspicious year for Thailand since it marks the Sixtieth Anniversary of His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej’s accession to the Throne, as the longest-reigning monarch in the world. All Thai people are extremely delightful to celebrate this most important event in our life, and would be more than happy to share this moment of happiness with all the guests here. The Royal Thai Government has planned various activities and events for foreign visitors to celebrate with us under the theme “Thailand Grand Invitation 2006”. Activities and events will be held on monthly basis to attract both international tourists and Thais living abroad to visit the Kingdom.
Excellencies, Distinguished Delegates, Ladies and Gentlemen,
It is my earnest hope that all countries will make a commitment to the result of this year Annual Conference and take serious action in your respective countries. This will enable the result not remain just empty promises but be transformed into concrete realities.
Organizing a conference on this scale would have been impossible without support and dedication from all those involved. I would therefore like to take this opportunity to thank the Organizing Committee for arranging such a memorable event. My special thanks are also extended to all the other organizations and individuals from both the private and public sector who contributed so much to the success of the conference.
Last but not least, I must thank all the overseas and local delegates for attending this conference. I hope that you found it a stimulating and rewarding experience. May I wish you a safe journey home and please bring back with you happy memories of both the conference and Thailand. On top of that please come back to visit us again.
Thank you for your attention.
Theodore is the Co-Founder and Managing Editor of TravelDailyNews Media Network; his responsibilities include business development and planning for TravelDailyNews long-term opportunities.
