Tourism sector dangles mangoes for Chinese
3 activities scheduled for first half of 2019
Tourism stakeholders have organised several big events specifically to boost arrivals from mainland China in 2019.
At least three events are scheduled for the first half of 2019, including a mango sticky rice welcome party in January, followed by a big running project in April and a make-up activity in June.
Pornpetch Wichitcholchai, president of the National Legislative Assembly, said the events are meant to lure Chinese tourists back to the country after arrivals from the mainland declined the past few months because of multiple factors, including the economic slowdown in China and the boat capsizing off of Phuket in July.
The first project is titled “We Care about You” and plans to serve mango sticky rice, a favourite dessert among Chinese, to about 10,000 guests from the mainland at a party held at Muang Thong Thani on Jan 20, 2019.
More popular Thai foods such as tom yum kung, green curry and Thai fried chicken will be served at the event.
This will not only help boost inbound tourism but will also promote traditional Thai dessert to become more popular among Chinese tourists, said Mr Pornpetch.
The Tourism Council of Thailand (TCT), the Association of Thai Travel Agents and the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) will soon invite Chinese tourists, travel companies, and celebrities, including Thai singer Mimi Lee, who is famous in China, to join the event.
Thapanee Kiatphaibool, executive director for products and promotion of TAT, said the largest mango sticky rice will be made to break world’s Guinness Book Record by cooking the menu with more than 5,000 kilogrammes of rice, topped on previous record made in Dubai in 2016 with 2,800kg.
Last year, Thailand organised the largest buffet in Koh Samui on a 2.5-kilometre long table with 5,826 foods from Thailand and overseas, breaking an earlier record made in India.
Taniwan Koonmongkon, president of the Thai Restaurant Association, said the association is working with several dessert sellers known for making mango sticky rice such as Ko Panich, Mae Keng, Khun Kan, Suan Sunandha Rajabhat University, Baan Kanom Thai and Thep Charoen Market 9.
High-quality mangoes will be grown in many areas, including Bang Khla in Chachoengsao and in Ratchaburi province.
TCT president Chairat Triratanajarasporn said apart from serving the popular dessert at the welcoming party, the council is also planning to run two more big events for China market.
One event is a mega run, which is likely to take place in Pattaya during Songkran. The council plans to invite about 5,000 runners from China to join locals at the running programme. The other event will focus on female tourists though beauty-related activities, which is likely to take place sometime in June next year.
The largest mango sticky rice will be made to break world’s Guinness Book Record by cooking the menu with more than 5,000 kilogrammes of rice, topped on previous record made in Dubai in 2016 with 2,800kg. THAPANEE KIATPHAIBOOL Executive director for products and promotion, TAT