Kanchanaburi gets fair treatment project

The Tourism and Sports Ministry has decided on Kanchanaburi for a pilot project to promote the environment and local culture as tourist attractions at affordable prices.

If the project is successful, the ministry will implement the cultural conservation concept in other major tourist destinations this year, said Pongpanu Svetarundra, permanent secretary of the ministry.

The ministry is seeking ways to enhance the standard of the Thai tourism industry in terms of image and appropriate service charges, especially for foreign travellers. Many tourist attractions have recently overcharged foreign tourists.

Mr Pongpanu said he felt guilty after learning many foreigners were overcharged at several tourist attractions.

“Every business sector should unite to protect the country’s image and treat foreign tourists fairly as they are a major source of revenue for Thailand,” he said.

The ministry is hoping developing a single service standard for both Thais and foreign tourists will attract more of the latter in the near future.

Mr Pongpanu said the ministry aims for Kanchanaburi to promote local culture and the environment as well as eliminate actions that exploit international tourists.

“I believe this pilot conservation scheme will be expanded to other major cities this year to improve Thailand’s tourism image,” he said.

Last year Kanchanaburi welcomed 9 million tourists, of which 7.2 million were locals and 1.8 million foreign travellers, generating 20 billion baht in total revenue.

Apart from making international tourists feel safe when coming to Thailand, the scheme will also strengthen the tourism network between travel agencies and the public sector, said Mr Pongpanu.

He said tourism revenue is expected to continue growing this year, making up 17-18% of the country’s GDP, compared with 17.7% in 2016 and 16.7% in 2015.

Tourism revenue is forecast to generate 2.71 trillion baht this year, up 8.17% from last year, with 1.78 trillion baht stemming from foreign tourists and 934 billion from Thais, said Mr Pongpanu. Tourism revenue totalled 2.53 trillion baht last year.