The 10th Thailand Tourism Awards 2015: now seeking contenders

BANGKOK - The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) is inviting tourism business operators nationwide to submit their products and services for the 10th Thailand Tourism Awards 2015. The submission period starts from now until 30 November, 2014.

The Thailand Tourism Awards are part of TAT’s ongoing efforts to constantly upgrade and enhance the standards of the kingdom’s tourist destinations, to promote creativity, encourage environmentally-friendly tourism practices, and to ensure the Thai tourism and hospitality industry’s competitiveness within ASEAN.

The Award is divided into five categories: tourist attractions; organisational bodies that have strongly supported and promoted Thai tourism; accommodation; health tourism and travel programmes.

Held every two years since 1996, next year’s awards are the 10th to be held, so 2015 marks the 20th anniversary of the event. The awards ceremony itself is to take place on 27 September, 2015, which is also the World Tourism Day.

Mr. Thawatchai Arunyik, Governor of the Tourism Authority of Thailand said, “The Thailand Tourism Awards are recognised by the United Nation World Tourism Organisation (UNWTO) for their astute reliability in selecting worthy winners. Since their inception, the Awards have helped to promote the quality and high standards of Thai tourism products and services. So TAT wants to encourage anyone who works in the kingdom’s tourism industry and who is proud of their products and services to put themselves forward for consideration in the 2015 awards, which, in their tenth incarnation, are to be the biggest to date.”

The Thailand Tourism Awards 2015 will be based around the concept of ‘Conserving the Environment’ and promoting sustainability within the industry. The judging criteria take into account various aspects of tourism management, including whether the local community has been involved with the creation or operation of the products or services offered. Also considered are whether local cultures and livelihoods have been respected and traditions observed. Eco-friendliness, sustainability, based on the principles self-sufficiency, as well as creative economy and innovative marketing are also taken into account.

Mr. Thawatchai said, “The judging committee is made up of some of the most respected people in the Thai tourism industry, all considered experts in their fields. They will carefully consider and evaluate each entrant and select tourism operators proven to have business ethics and creativity and who promote environmentally-friendly tourism practices and quality management. We know that the winners in each category will help set a good standard and serve as role models for other operators in the years to come.”

The winners in each award’s category will receive privileges in promoting their products and services continuously through all of TAT’s marketing events and media channels, both domestically and internationally, including via TV commercials, radio slots, online channels and the print media. They will also get the chance to be included in special supporting activities in TAT’s familiarisation trips for the media and travel agents. All winners will receive the Kinnaree image, a symbol that guarantees the quality of their tourism products and services as well as adding value and prestige.

sourced:traveldailynews.asia