Thailand and Guangdong Unite to Promote Tourism

During the extremely successful Thailand Tourism Cooperation and Exchange Conference, which was held in China on the 10th of November 2009, Guangdong and Thailand drew up an agreement to promote bilateral travel between the two nations.

The leading ministers, Mr Suraphon Svetasreni, who is the Deputy Governor for Marketing Communications, who has been designated to act on behalf of the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT), and Mr Yang Rongseng, who is the Chairman of the Tourism Authority of Guangdong, drew up the agreement, which was duly agreed to be mutually beneficial to both nations.

This new mutual agreement will enable both nations to share tourism data, and analyse trends within South East Asia. Additionally, it makes provision for the promotion of cross-nation tour packages, and the organisation of trade fairs and other industry conferences.

Guangdong is arguably the most affluent province within China when it comes to raw tourism. It exhibits a very healthy economy, with vast revenue streams supplied by not only holiday makers, but corporate tourism as well. Indeed, it hosts the largest import/export fair in South East Asia, the Canton Fair.

Guangdong is also an important travel hub, with almost 50 direct flights linking it with Bangkok each week, operated by a wide group of carriers.

This new mutual agreement is thought to have been prompted by the fact that in recent years, the number of tourists travelling from China to Thailand has dropped by some 29.25%. The new mutual tourism agreement will help to bring about a change in these figures, whilst also boosting local tourism within Guangdong province, a true win win situation, with both nations benefiting.

TAT is also working to open up more direct flight routes to China, from Southern Thailand hotspots such as Krabi, Phuket and Koh Samui.

Did you know that?

It is only in recent years that Thai people have begun to use salt. Even now, the majority of Thais will use a very salty fish sauce as a condiment, instead of the granulated salt we are used to in the western world.