Kriengsak Chareonwongsak Tourism plays

Tourism plays an important role in the Thai economy

    Not only is tourism good for the country’s current economy but it is also good for Thailand's future economic development as well. Each year, the tourism sector generates hundreds of billions of baht, or nearly 10% of our country's income (GDP). In addition, it is known to boost the economy both in normal times and in times of crisis. In 1987, the ‘Visit Thailand Year’, initiated by General Chatichai Chunhavan's government, demonstrated just how obviously important this sector was to the country’s economy. Not only did it bolster the country's income but it also created growth in the Thai economy during the early 1990s. In 1997, Thailand's tourism sector again played an important role in Thailand's future economic development, at a time when Thailand struggled with the economic crisis. A policy to promote tourism has an immediate earning potential in the form of foreign currencies, which enhance our economic survival. It should be noted however that tourism significantly benefits not only developing countries but indeed many developed countries such as USA, England, France, and the Netherlands, all promote tourism as a vital source of income as well. 

Travelling the high road

Professor Dr Kriengsak Chareonwongsak
Executive Director, Institute of Future Studies for Development (IFD)
kriengsak@kriengsak.com, http://www.ifd.or.th

Professor Kriengsak Chareonwongsak Travelling the high road

Travelling the high road

Professor Dr Kriengsak Chareonwongsak
Executive Director, Institute of Future Studies for Development (IFD)
kriengsak@kriengsak.com, http://www.ifd.or.th


This article was first published in the Bangkok Post on May 20, 2001 after the government announced a reform of the bureaucracy and subsequently initiated restructuring ministries and offices according to their functions. The author suggested that a Ministry of Tourism be established in order to promote tourism in Thailand. Later, the government created a new ministry, “ The Ministry of Tourism and Sports”.

It is to the credit of the Thai government that it has given special attention to the tourism sector. The workshop on tourism, held recently at Chiang Mai (2001), is a welcome sign of this attention and it is hoped that the outcome of this workshop will benefit this important sector. Several years ago, I proposed the establishment of a Ministry of tourism that would become an important benefit to the Thai economy, and urged the suggestion be considered seriously. However, at the present stage of the country's tourist sector I would add now that the Ministry of Tourism be established as a matter of urgency and it will benefit Thailand greatly. Setting up this Ministry should be given a high priority, since such an organization would be timely for both stimulating the growth of this sector and would be helpful for economic recovery.