Travel executives book a brainstorm

A daily deluge of bad news mainly tourist related crime at Thailand’s top destinations has mobilised travel industry executives to register for the up-coming Safety & Security Brainstorm and Forum, 15 October.

To be hosted in Bangkok, the forum has been divided into two half-day sessions; the first to be held in the afternoon of 15 October and the second 14 November.

The sessions will be attended by industry experts, representatives of hotel chains, government agencies and owners of travel companies, all in danger of losing valuable revenue if Thailand cannot regain its envied position as a reliable, safe and hospitable country to visit.

They will have to come to grips with the enormity of the problem and  today’s fast track channels that get news to travellers worldwide in minutes of a crime committed.

Internet-news services based in Thailand alert travellers and travel agents to the risks of visiting popular destinations almost daily. It far outweighs the sum total of public relations output by the trade and government agencies such as the Tourism Authority of Thailand. They just cannot keep pace.

Travel executives intend to brainstorm the issues and present guidelines on how to deal with security issues and what action should  taken by the government.

JFCCT, Skal and the PATA Chapter are leading the forum that they hope will develop ideas to help improve safety and security standards within the Thai Tourism industry.

After the 15 October meeting, a follow up session will bring in expert speakers and feedback gained at the first session. It will be held 14 November. Both sessions run from 1300 to 1730, at the Ramada Plaza Riverside Menam Hotel.

Said PATA Chapter chairman, Bert van Walbeek: “This is your chance to be heard as key recommendations will be summarised and prioritised, presented to the MoTS and the TAT with the genuine aim of establishing workgroups with private and public stakeholder jointly developing action plans.”

The 15 October programme

1300 to 1315 Welcome words

1315 to 1415 Panel discussion

” Facilitating & Balancing Safety & Security ”

Ambassador Joan A. Boer,Netherlands

Kelly Anne Hayden ESCAP Disaster Risk Reduction

Pol. Col. Archayon Kraithong Deputy Commander, Royal Thai Tourism Police

Andrew Wood, President Skål International Thailand

1430 to 1600 Brainstorm 1

Enhancing awareness for risk and crisis management in the Thai Tourism Industries Facilitator: Andrew Durieux – JFCCT

Brainstorm 2

Educating and alerting tourists before and during their stays

Facilitator: Larry Cunningham – Australian Honorary Consul,Phuket, Phang Nga, Krabi 2005 to 2013

Brainstorm 3

Cooperating with the public sector stakeholders

Facilitator: Bill Ho – Asian Disaster Preparedness

Brainstorm 4 Cheating the Cheaters

Facilitator: Dale Lawrence – Skål International Bangkok

1600 to 1630 Network break

1630 to 1700 Feedback panel by brainstorm facilitators

1700 to 1715 Closing remarks

Sourced: ttrweekly