PATA Chiang Rai to Host “Quality or Quantity” What is Best for Chiang Rai’s Tourism Industries

CHIANG RAI –  “Quality or Quantity? What is Best for Chiang Rai’s Tourism Industries?” is to be the focus of a high-level forum to be organized by the Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA) Chiang Rai Chapter on January 23, 2018 at the recently opened The Heritage Chiang Rai.

The Chapter’s 2019 kick-off event on January 23, 2019 has four key objectives:

1. Bring the tourism industry stakeholders together to jointly capitalize of the enhanced awareness of Chiang Rai as a destination.

2. Establish awareness for the opportunity to develop Chiang Rai into the most exclusive destination of Thailand.

3. Develop a better mutual understanding of the importance of cooperation and team work, “all for one, one for all.”

4. Enhance the public-private partnership idea in the tourism community.

Mr Jaffee Yee, Chairman of the PATA Chiang Rai Chapter, said, “We are deeply honored that some of Thailand’s most knowledgeable policy-makers, decision-makers, industry practitioners and historians have agreed to share their expertise, foresights and insights on how destinations such as Chiang Rai can better balance the economic, social, cultural and environmental elements of tourism.”

H.E. Weerasak Kowsurat, Minister of Tourism and Sports, will deliver a keynote speech in which he will outline the priorities and challenges facing Thailand within the broader national context of the 4.0 Development Agenda.
H.E. Prachon Prachsakul, Chiang Rai Governor, will discuss the local provincial context and present plans to make Chiang Rai “the most exclusive destination in Thailand”.

Dr Bert van Walbeek, Education Committee, PATA Chiang Rai Chapter, said, “With 38 million annual arrivals, Thailand is facing serious challenges about its future growth strategies. I consider Chiang Rai “The beautiful stepchild” of Thailand’s amazing tourism destinations. It can play a major role in being a part of the solution.”

He added that Mr Imtiaz Muqbil, Executive Editor, Travel Impact Newswire, one of Thailand’s longest-serving travel trade journalists, will offer a historical context with a talk on “The Power of History: 10 Lessons Chiang Rai can learn from the mistakes of other booming destinations.”

Other speakers include Ms Topaz Subunruk, Head of Sustainability and communications, AirAsia and Mr Siripakorn Chaeawasamoot, TAT Deputy Governor for Digitalisation, Reserach and Development.

The TAT will also generously sponsor the Food & Beverage, thus making it possible that participation in the forum is free of charge for all!

The formal presentations will be followed by an interactive, two-way panel, featuring representatives of Hospitality, Inbound Operators, Tour Guides, Airports, Immigration, Tourist Police, Tourism Council and the Chamber of Commerce.

Academics from Mae Fah Luang University and Chiang Rai Rajabhat University will guide a brainstorm session, giving all attendees an opportunity to share their opinions about this crucial question with their peers.

“The future of tourism to Chiang Rai will depend entirely on how everyone at the local level works in tandem and unison together. This forum will allow all the local stakeholders to better understand the merits, the advantages and the dangers of different policy and development approaches and how they will all fit together”, said Chapter Chairman Mr Jaffee Yee.

Register Click Here

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For more information, please contact:

Mr. Jaffee Yee jaffeeyee@gmail.com 081 922 9063 or Dr Bert van Walbeek bert.vanwalbeek@gmail.com 081 906 2463