Tourism Authority of Thailand signs MoU with Shandong Provincial Tourism Administration

In an attempt to tap the potential of China’s second most populous province, the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) has just signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Shandong Provincial Tourism Administration (SPTA) to explore the mutual benefits of closer tourism co-operation.

Representing TAT at the MoU signing was TAT Governor Mrs. Phornsiri Manoharn, who expressed confidence that the new Sino-Thai agreement will be sustainable and draw a significant influx of tourism, trade and investment traffic from China’s eastern province.

The tourism industry is currently one of Thailand’s largest income-earners. In China, too, the travel and tourism sector is experiencing tremendous growth and has become one of the world’s most promising emerging markets both as a popular global travel destination and as Asia’s largest source of outbound tourists. Shandong, with a population of over 90 million and the country’s eighth highest per capita income, is an important economic zone.

Jinan and Qingdao, the province’s two major cities, boast transport links to both Japan and Korea. Furthermore, the city of Qingdao is home to two of the country’s best-known brand names: Tsingtao, China’s best-selling beer, and electrical appliance giant, Haier. With regard to Thailand, statistically, approximately 300,000 tourists from Shandong and nearby provinces visit the country annually.

SPTA will co-operate with TAT through a number of efforts that include tourism promotion, regular information exchanges, annual visits by both sides to assess progress, and periodic get-togethers to set new directions and goals.

Signed on June 19, 2008, this Memorandum of Understanding will remain in effect for a period of five years, after which time it may be extended for a further period to be agreed upon by both parties.

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