Tourism Unites to Clean up Flood Areas and Celebrate HM the King’s Birthday
Ayutthaya, December 5, 2011 — The Thai tourism industry united in strength on 4 December for a full day of activities to mark both the auspicious 84th birthday of His Majesty the King as well as the launch of a short tactical campaign to restore and recover the destinations affected by the recent floods.
The activities took place in Ayutthaya, the former historic capital and a UNESCO World Heritage Site that was damaged by the floods but is now being rapidly cleaned up and rehabilitated. Although the King’s birthday falls on 5 December, the events were held one day in advance in order not to clash with other national celebrations on the official holiday.
The short restore-and-recovery campaign was launched under the slogan of “Beautiful Thailand”. It is being organised by the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) to unite the entire travel industry, restore the confidence of tourists from overseas and domestic markets and send a strong message to all the country’s travel trade partners and suppliers that Thai tourism sector is back in business.
The campaign was launched on the morning of 4 December in Ayutthaya. A caravan of 84 buses (84 symbolising the age of His Majesty) left Bangkok for the formal ceremonies.
In the afternoon, a range of Cooperate Social Responsibility activities were organised with hundreds of tourism industry executives, personnel, media and tourists joining hands for more clean-up activities, garbage collection, landscaping, planting of trees, painting and repairing the buildings.
Many of the activities were carried out in the vicinity of the Ayutthaya Provincial Administrative Office and the TAT office in Ayutthaya.
The TAT was represented by about 150 personnel led by Governor Suraphon Svetasreni. A number of Thai private sector industry associations also sent out announcements to their members to join in.
Mr Suraphon said, “It has been a very difficult few weeks for the entire industry. But every night is followed by day, and we are very happy to see a new day dawning, and the tourism industry once again coming together to bring business back.”
Ayutthaya has been chosen for the official launch of the restore-and-recovery “Beautiful Thailand” campaign because of its proximity to Bangkok and status as one of Thailand’s cultural and historic icons.
Although there are numerous attractions, the Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya Historical Park in the heart of Ayutthaya city, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Visitors marvel at its grandeur reflected through numerous magnificent temples and ruins concentrated in and around the city, which is located upon an “island” surrounded by the Chao Phraya, Pa Sak and Lopburi Rivers.
In 2010, Ayutthaya attracted over 6.53 million domestic and international visitors, up 82.37% over 2009, generating an estimated of 9 billion Baht for tourism income.
During January – October 2011, international visitor arrivals Thailand totalled 15.8 million, up 25% over the same period of 2010.
For 2011, the TAT is projecting 18.3-18.6 million international visitor arrivals with estimated revenue earnings of 703-716 billion baht (US$ 22.7-23 billion) in tourism revenue.
A team of experts from Italy, Japan, Netherlands and Thailand put together by the UN Education Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) are surveying Ayutthaya to formulate recommendations for a short- and long- term restoration plan to be presented to the Thai government, UNESCO said in a statement. Thai Culture Minister H.E. Mrs Sukumol Kunplome met with the experts before their departure.
According to the Ministry of Culture’s Department of Fine Arts, the entire historic island of Ayutthaya and its surrounding area was submerged by the floods for over a month since 4 October 2011. In some areas, the flood waters reached a height level of approximately 3 metres. More than 100 historic monuments in and around the Ayutthaya World Heritage Site have been affected.
The activities took place in Ayutthaya, the former historic capital and a UNESCO World Heritage Site that was damaged by the floods but is now being rapidly cleaned up and rehabilitated. Although the King’s birthday falls on 5 December, the events were held one day in advance in order not to clash with other national celebrations on the official holiday.
The short restore-and-recovery campaign was launched under the slogan of “Beautiful Thailand”. It is being organised by the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) to unite the entire travel industry, restore the confidence of tourists from overseas and domestic markets and send a strong message to all the country’s travel trade partners and suppliers that Thai tourism sector is back in business.
The campaign was launched on the morning of 4 December in Ayutthaya. A caravan of 84 buses (84 symbolising the age of His Majesty) left Bangkok for the formal ceremonies.
In the afternoon, a range of Cooperate Social Responsibility activities were organised with hundreds of tourism industry executives, personnel, media and tourists joining hands for more clean-up activities, garbage collection, landscaping, planting of trees, painting and repairing the buildings.
Many of the activities were carried out in the vicinity of the Ayutthaya Provincial Administrative Office and the TAT office in Ayutthaya.
The TAT was represented by about 150 personnel led by Governor Suraphon Svetasreni. A number of Thai private sector industry associations also sent out announcements to their members to join in.
Mr Suraphon said, “It has been a very difficult few weeks for the entire industry. But every night is followed by day, and we are very happy to see a new day dawning, and the tourism industry once again coming together to bring business back.”
Ayutthaya has been chosen for the official launch of the restore-and-recovery “Beautiful Thailand” campaign because of its proximity to Bangkok and status as one of Thailand’s cultural and historic icons.
Although there are numerous attractions, the Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya Historical Park in the heart of Ayutthaya city, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Visitors marvel at its grandeur reflected through numerous magnificent temples and ruins concentrated in and around the city, which is located upon an “island” surrounded by the Chao Phraya, Pa Sak and Lopburi Rivers.
In 2010, Ayutthaya attracted over 6.53 million domestic and international visitors, up 82.37% over 2009, generating an estimated of 9 billion Baht for tourism income.
During January – October 2011, international visitor arrivals Thailand totalled 15.8 million, up 25% over the same period of 2010.
For 2011, the TAT is projecting 18.3-18.6 million international visitor arrivals with estimated revenue earnings of 703-716 billion baht (US$ 22.7-23 billion) in tourism revenue.
A team of experts from Italy, Japan, Netherlands and Thailand put together by the UN Education Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) are surveying Ayutthaya to formulate recommendations for a short- and long- term restoration plan to be presented to the Thai government, UNESCO said in a statement. Thai Culture Minister H.E. Mrs Sukumol Kunplome met with the experts before their departure.
According to the Ministry of Culture’s Department of Fine Arts, the entire historic island of Ayutthaya and its surrounding area was submerged by the floods for over a month since 4 October 2011. In some areas, the flood waters reached a height level of approximately 3 metres. More than 100 historic monuments in and around the Ayutthaya World Heritage Site have been affected.