PM reaffirms support for tourism as UNWTO meet opens

She was speaking during a meeting with visiting UN World Tourism Organisation (UNWTO) Secretary General Taleb Rifai.

Rifai is in Thailand to attend the 24th Joint Meeting of the UNWTO's Commission for East Asia and the Pacific, its Commission for South Asia and its High-level Regional Conference on Green Tourism in the northern province of Chiang Mai.

UNWTO is a specialised agency of the UN and the leading international organisation in the field of tourism. It serves as a global forum for tourism policy issues and is a practical source of tourism know-how.

The secretary general stressed the importance of the tourism as it is a major industry able to mobilise economic growth, as well as to support employment and development.

Yingluck said that the tourism business was a crucial industry with strategic importance because it can generate income for the kingdom.

She said her government has launched a new tourism promotion campaign, "Miracle Year of Amazing Thailand 2012-2013", and will further develop facilities to support the tourism business, particularly world standards of security to protect tourist lives and property.

The Miracle Year of Amazing Thailand is a yearlong tourism campaign focusing on the tradition, culture and unique aspects of Thailand and 'Thainess’.

Today Rifai gave Yingluck an open letter for the Global Leaders for Tourism Campaign prepared by UNWTO and the World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC), calling on countries not yet involved to join the campaign.

Twenty-six national leaders have received the open letter from the UNWTO and WTTC emphasising that tourism is a vital part of the global economy, driving not only employment opportunities but also the push towards a Green Economy.

Source - nationmultimedia