ACCOLADES POUR IN FOR THAI TOURISM INDUSTRY

Thailand and Thai tourism products are continuing to win outstanding international media awards, strongly indicating the continued drive of key industry sectors to reach for higher standards of product and service delivery.

Not only did Thailand win the “Destination of the Year” from the Singapore-based travel trade publication TravelAsia but a number of its ecotourism products and spas also picked up top awards from other publications like Recommend and Conde Nast Traveller.

TAT Governor Pradech Phayakvichien said, “There is no doubt that our private sector companies are constantly seeking to upgrade their standards of professionalism. These awards are particularly important because they reflect readers’ views, perhaps the most significant indication of how we are perceived in the minds of consumers.”

Readers of TravelAsia top-rated Thailand as the Destination of the Year and Angkhang Nature Resort in Chiang Mai as the Best Resort/Lodge.

Readers of the New York-based publication Conde Nast Traveller gave the Chiva Som International Health Resort in Hua Hin a top score of 92.96 points out of 100.

The popular global travel magazine called Chiva Som “the number one sensation in overseas destination spas.” It said Chiva Som “floated to the top by way of consistently high scores, ultimately taking the low-cal biscuit for food/restaurants (91.82), ambiance/d?cor (99.09) and standard/comfort of accommodation (98.18).”

Another prestigious award came from the Miami-based publication Recommend whose readers ranked Thailand in the Top Three Adventure/Ecotourism Destinations in the Asia-Pacific.

TAT Deputy Governor for Marketing Patpong Abhijatapong, who personally went to Singapore to pick up the TravelAsia Breakthrough Awards, said the honours will generate thousands of dollars in additional publicity and exposure for the country.

For example, names of the ‘Recommend’ magazine award-winners were published in its September issue which was distributed at the annual conference of the American Society of Travel Agents, as well as being sent to its 60,176 subscribers.

Mr Patpong commented, “The awards underscore Thailand's increasing popularity as a tourist destination for visitors worldwide. These will help attract more visitors to Thailand and boost the tourism industry as a whole. “We would like to thank the readers and editors of all the magazines for their continued support. And we would like to encourage the entire Thai private sector to continue to upgrade standards, services and professionalism for the benefit of Thailand as a whole.”