Thai-Chinese Tourism Alliance Association and Khao Yai Tourism Association sign ‘We Love Khao Yai’ MOU
Bangkok, 22 January, 2020 – A ‘We Love Khao Yai’ memorandum of understanding (MOU) was recently signed by the Thai-Chinese Tourism Alliance Association (TCTA) and Khao Yai Tourism Association (KYTA) as the Pak Chong area of Khao Yai continues to welcome more Chinese tourists.
The key objective is to bring additional revenue to the destination all-year round and strengthen partnerships between tourism operators and local suppliers to achieve mutual sustainable benefits.
The ’We Love Khao Yai’ MOU includes these areas of cooperation:
Tourism – Promote and develop ecotourism, organic tourism, community tourism, art and culture, education and sports alongside the development of local tourism services among Khao Yai-based suppliers plus develop tourism routes and seasonal itineraries and promote them to Chinese tourists.
Trade – Promote business and trade, products and services, local Thai products, food, drink, fruit and agricultural products – all which must be certified by the KYTA.
Culture – Promote culture and support community-based tourism through ecotourism and the environment, history, architecture, art and culture, traditions, local identity and local way of life.
Education – Promote cooperation on ecotourism and environmental education and organise activities for students of all levels as well as sports events.
Business Events – promote hosting of business events in Khao Yai and surrounding areas
Under the MOU the TCTA will be tasked with making sure that tourism companies joining the project are legitimate. It will also coordinate and facilitate that itineraries for participating companies are certified by the KYTA only, while promoting and developing Khao Yai itineraries that are easy for participating companies to sell to their Chinese customers. They are also responsible for ensuring the safety of all through efficient tourist information systems and compulsory travel insurance.
The KYTA, in turn, is responsible for promoting and providing timely updates on the Chinese tourist market to members, including a list of legal tour companies from TCTA. They must also ensure that the products and services offered by its members are of an international standard and safe, while also being an emergency centre for tourists in need of assistance.
The MOU is focused on cooperation to promote attractions in Khao Yai, especially in the Pak Chong area, which is increasingly popular among Chinese tourists in terms of ecotourism, organic tourism, community tourism, art and culture, education and sports. It is also aimed at managing the ‘Khao Yai Brand’ as a quality and safe destination.
The “We Love Khao Yai” initiative will also be promoted via the Tourism Authority of Thailand’s offices in the People’s Republic of China. Some of the familiarisation trips for travel agents, members of the media and social influencers planned by these offices many include programmes in Khao Yai. This forms part of the TAT’s core communication marketing theme “Open to the New Shades” that focuses on providing positive and unexpected experiences in existing and emerging destinations.
