The event, organised by the Senate Tourism Committee, was held at the Grand Ballroom at the Pago Design Hotel in Phuket Town, with a focus on how southern Andaman provinces and communities can maximise their potential to become established centres of marine tourism.
General Thanasak Patimaprakon, Chairman of the Senate Tourism Committee, opened the seminar, which saw over 200 attendees, including executives from the private sector joining representatives from the six southern provinces on the Andaman coast of Phuket, Krabi, Phang Nga, Ranong, Trang and Satun.
General Thanasak explained how the event was essentially a brainstorming session where presenters and attendees could offer suggestions on how to increase the proportion of high quality tourists in the region to reach the lofty goal of B5trn in tourism-related revenue.
Expert speakers who delivered presentations included: Somruedee Chitjong, Deputy Governor for Domestic Markets from the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT); Natthira Phaengkun, Deputy Director-General of the Department of Tourism Ministry of Tourism and Sports; Kornwut Banyongworapinit, Director of the Local Administration Development and Promotion Division Department of Local Administration; Wattana Choksuwanich, President of the Thai Cruise Business Operators Association; and Wirinthra Papakityotphat, Chairman of the Phuket Tourism Industry Council.
While no specific recommendations or outcomes were detailed, officials declared the event a success in bringing private and public sector entities together to make a start on a roadmap that can he the region become globally recognised as a leading maritime tourism region.
Yesterday’s event came after Gen Thanasak and his delegation unveiled plans on Wednesday relating to the development of Phuket to become a port of entry for small luxury ships.