TCT inks MoU with DASTA

BANGKOK  Tourism Council of Thailand signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Designated Areas for Sustainable Tourism Administration, last week, to help develop community based tourism in the country.
TCT president, Ittirit Kinglek, said the agreement would help to develop tourism at a sustainable level in areas that were under the government-run DASTA.
The agreement could help to link community-based tourism projects with the tourism industry better. DASTA has very few practical links with the trade and its mission is not widely recognised outside of government circles.
“The council will collaborate with DASTA in terms of marketing strategy and to help promote CBT tourist destinations…the MoU timeframe is set for three years.”
inside no 1“Community based tourism can help to reflect the Thai way of life, culture and history, which are elements that can be used to attract travellers both Thais and foreigners.”
DASTA director, Nalik-atipak Saengsanit, said the assistance offered by TCT will help to develop community based tourism, while the administration will also draft a master development plan.
Currently, there are 13 model communities on the CBT Thailand list. They are:
Baan Naam Chiew Community: Mangrove of the East in Trat province;
Lam Klud Community: Coastal fishing community in Trat;
Sun Lom Joy Community: Hill country culture in Chiang Mai;
Rai Gong King Community: Traditional healthy livelihood community, Chiang Mai;
Takien Tia Community: Traditional culture and food, Pattaya, Chonburi;
Nong Chak Ngaew Community: Ancient Chinese community, Pattaya, Chonburi;
Muang Kao Community: Living Heritage community, Sukhothai;
Cook Pattana Community: Local wisdom, local folklore in local community, Sukhothai;
Nakhon Chum Community: Ancient food market community, Kamphaengphet;
Koksathorn Community: Cherry Blossom and a mountain trail, Loei;
Pla Ba Community: Mountain agriculture livelihood, Loei;
Nai Wiang Community: Living old town, Nan;
Bo Suak Community: Traditional rural livelihood, Nan.
DASTA was set up as a public organisation to drive sustainable tourism by developing integrated administration areas to expand valuable tourism resources.
It has projects at six sites namely Chang Island, Pattaya, Sukhothai, Si Satchanalai and Kamphaengphet, Loei, Nan and Uthong ancient city.

sourced:ttrweekly.com