Kriengsak Chareonwongsak Globalization drives tourism

Globalization drives tourism to become a concern for continental regions

    The scope of tourism issues has widened to the international level and as a result, national agencies need to make Thailand's negotiating power and attractions stronger. For instance, international tourists are touring regions now and not just one particular country. As a result they prefer to visit Southeast Asia as a whole rather than travel to Thailand only. Besides, our neighbors have their own tourist attractions, and readily available, convenient transportation, so consequently, travel between the attractions of several countries has become easily accessible. Above all, Thailand urgently needs a national agency to monitor and deal with foreign policies that could affect our tourism sector. Some years ago certain foreign governments warned their citizens not to visit Thailand because of the heavy air pollution. Such warnings discouraged tourists from coming to Thailand aand need to be deealt with by a national agency.

Presently, the tourism sector plays a significant role within the Thai economic system. Nevertheless, tourism resources are limited and could deteriorate without proper management. Many government departments, charged with looking after the effectiveness of the tourism sector, are scattered throughout a variety of ministries resulting in coordination difficulties between them. A clear vision on the greater development of tourism really must be determined so as to cope with related restrictions. For these reasons I think that a Ministry of Tourism must be established and charged with looking after this important mission.

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

Kriengsak ChareonwongsakThai tourism resources

Thai tourism resources need to be developed appropriately

    Income from the tourism sector can be characterised as high value-added since it virtually needs no import content. It uses natural resources, cultures, national congeniality, all of which already exist here. Compared to other countries, Thailand has the advantage of having a large number of natural tourism resources. However, these resources genuinely need good management, since they may become depleted unless proper planning and maintenance are practiced. Problems such as the pollution that deteriorates natural resorts, and security for tourists are continually growing for Thai tourism. These problems can be costly to the tourism industry and cause it to lose its competitiveness against other countries. Tourism has been widely promoted by many other developing countries as a means of expanding national income, for example, in China, Vietnam and Malaysia. The problems in Thailand need to be dealt with urgently. If the tourism industry is revitalized, cleanliness enhanced and tourist safety measures improved, the reward will be an increased national income generator. 

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