ITB 2010 in Berlin is to be the launchpad for a project that will help enhance the sustainability of the Thai tourism industry and better prepare it to meet the increasingly environmentally-sensitive product requirements of European visitors.

An official agreement will be signed on 11 March, 2010 at the TAT Stand Number 221 in Hall 26B between the European Tour Operator Associations and the Corporate Social Responsibility and Market Access Partnerships for Thai Sustainable Tourism Supply Chains Project (CSR-MAP Project). A press conference will follow the signing ceremony.

According to Ms. Duangamol Chansuriyawong, CSR-MAP Project Director and President of the Thailand Ecotourism and Adventure Travel Association (TEATA), “The CSR-MAP Project provides an opportunity for Thailand to become a leader in adopting the principles of responsible tourism.

“By offering better quality green products to EU tour operators, Thai suppliers will be able to reap the financial benefits of tourism while safeguarding the precious environment on which its very existence depends.”

At the ceremony, a representative of the European Tourism Associations will also make a presentation on the subject, “Commitment of European Tour Operators to supporting sustainable tourism in Thailand”.

The project targets Thai tourism industry suppliers who offer sustainable tourism products, as well as local Thai communities, which have developed community-based tourism (CBT) programmes, and European tour operators with a firm commitment to supporting sustainable tourism.

The project will give its partners and stakeholders the opportunity to learn about the European market's demand for sustainable tourism products and standards, and gain recognition from European tour operators to develop and market innovative and integrated sustainable tourism products, to be known as “Thai Sustainable Tourism Routes”.

For a maximum buy-in by European tour operators, the new Thai sustainable tourism standards and products will be developed in close collaboration with the EU partners.

According to a statement by the EC, “As the Thai tourism industry has grown, there has been an increasing realisation within Thailand that the environmental and social impacts of tourism need to be carefully managed, without which the current positive economic benefits being reaped at the national level, may soon be outweighed by negative economic outcomes resulting from environmental and social degradation.

“In these times, all sectors of the economy have a responsibility to consider whether their practices are sustainable enough. Climate change and environmental protection concern the tourism sector in particular. With EU support, the Thai tourism sector will have the possibility to make its products even more attractive and environmentally friendly,” the statement said.

A major focus of the CRS-MAP project will be on supporting small and medium sized tourism suppliers (SMEs), and local Thai communities which have developed community based tourism (CBT) programmes.

During December 2009 and January 2010, the CSR-MAP project team surveyed Thailand, searching for interesting, innovative activities for visitors who are interested to experience a different side of Thailand. Guests will stay in certified Green Hotels, visit community based tourism projects, dine in green restaurants, organized by quality tour operators and lead by trained eco-guides.

The sustainable tourism routes have been designed to meet the needs of ‘comfort travellers’ looking for unique experiences within the comfort zone, and more adventurous guests looking for a genuine ‘local insight,’ including an overnight village stay.

Each route is themed, giving guests a special insight into a particular aspect of Thai life such as cooking, arts, crafts or traditional occupations. Many of these routes are market ready. Others are under development and can be further adapted according to the needs of tour operators and their guests.

	Northern Thailand: Chiang Rai, Mae Hong Son, Lampang
	Central Thailand: Prachuap Khiri Khan (Hua Hin), Phetchaburi, Samut Songkhram
	North-eastern Thailand (Isaan): Nakhon Ratchasima (Khorat), Surin and Ubon Ratchathani
	Southern Thailand: Krabi, Surat Thani, Nakhon Si Thammarat

	Canal Life of Yesteryear;
	Fascinating Fishers’ Life;
	Learning, living, sharing, giving volunteer program;
	Silk Roads of Siam;

In June 2010, EU tour operators will have an opportunity to survey the new sustainable tourism routes on a FAM Trip. At the end of the project, partners will share their new standards and others outcomes of the project with Thai government agencies and other tourism stakeholders.

The project will run for 18 months with 75% of its total budget of Euro 236 000 provided by the EU and 25% by TEATA and project partners. The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) is also assisting the CSR-MAP, within the frame of their ‘7 Greens’ initiative. In June, the TAT will sponsor flights for 20 EU tour operators to survey the new routes and give feedback. The Office of Tourism Development, Ministry of Tourism and Sports of Thailand is also assisting standards development activities.

CSR-MAP PROJECT AT THE ITB, BERLIN, 2010
The CSR-MAP Project team will attend the ITB 2010 in Berlin, at the TAT Stand, No. 221 Hall no. 26 B. Visitors wishing to make an appointment should contact Mr. Peter Richards, CSR-MAP Project Manager at: csr.map.info@gmail.com

	Friday, 12th March, 10.30-11.00 “A Partnership of Pioneers: Raising Standards and Developing Innovative Sustainable Tourism Package Tours in Thailand-The CSR-MAP Project” presented in Hall 4.1, Experience Adventure, Ecotourism and Expeditions, 5th Pow-Wow for Trade visitors;
	Friday, 12th March, 16.35-17.20 “Corporate Social Responsibility in the Tourism Industry — From concepts to certification” presented with FH Eberswalde University of Applied Sciences, in the “Scientific Hall”, 5.1.

	The Thai Ecotourism and Adventure Travel Association (TEATA) is a pioneering association of 50 environmentally conscious, socially responsible Thai tour operators who are working together to put the ideals of ecotourism into practice. TEATA’s member companies are experts in a wide range of nature, culture and adventure activities, including bird watching, trekking, kayaking, climbing, biking, nature interpretation, scuba diving, camping, community-based tourism and conservation;
	The Green Leaf Foundation is a hotel standards and CSR certification organization, representing over 200 members who adhere to a broad set of environmental criteria;
	The Thailand Community-based Tourism Institute, provides research and development support to a network of over 70 rural Thai communities. CBT-I works with tourism stakeholders to support local people to manage rural tourism more sustainably.
	The European Center for Eco and Agro Tourism (ECEAT) supports an extensive network of more than 1300 EU sustainable tourism suppliers. ECEAT Projects have extensive international experience facilitating sustainable tourism standardisation; building sustainable supply chains and promoting sustainable tourism around the world though the EU-funded Green Travel Market: www.greentravelmarket.info

Contact information:
International Public Relations Division
Tourism Authority of Thailand
Tel: +66 (0) 2250 5500 ext. 4545-48
Fax: +66 (0) 2253 7419
E-mail: prdiv3@tat.or.th
Web site: www.tatnews.org