SEMINAR TO PROMOTE PROFESSIONAL HOMESTAY MANAGEMENT

The Tourism Authority of Thailand is preparing to expand homestay programmes for visitors with a detailed seminar designed to explain to interested parties the sensitive intricacies of organising and managing this relatively new holiday experience.

About 100 representatives of government agencies, educational institutes and tourism businesses are expected to attend the seminar at the Emerald Hotel on May 25, 2001 between 8.00-16.30 hours. Experts from the World Tourism Organisation (WTO) and the Japan National Tourism Organisation have been invited to lecture.

Regular features in many Asia-Pacific countries, homestay holidays will give travelers a chance to either visit or stay at a Thai home, gaining new insights into the life-styles, customs and traditions of Thai families and society.

Host families have to be carefully selected and trained to receive foreign visitors. The entire interaction has to be sensitively managed in order to ensure a satisfactory experience for both sides. The holiday experience is offered in a limited way today by some Thai provincial communities but there is considerable room for future growth.

TAT Governor Pradech Phayakvichien said, “We see the professional organisation of homestay experiences to be a natural extension of other popular holiday products highlighting Thai culture and traditions such as cooking schools, health and Thai massage.”

He added, “There is growing worldwide interest in Thai ways of life, especially its religion and culture. Homestays will allow visitors to better understand Thais and Thailand through closer personal contact.”

The seminar is also in line with TAT's policies to promote stronger participation from local communities in pursuing sustainable tourism development, stretch the average length of stay, broaden the choice of tourism options and disseminate tourism revenue to provincial areas.

The one-day seminar will be divided into two sessions. The morning will include two keynote presentations: “Introduction to International Homestay Management” by WTO Specialist Mr. Michael MacNulty and “Homestay Management in Japanese Style” by representative of the Japan National Tourist Organisation (JNTO) and Vice President of Japanese Inn Group Association Mr. Fukuda Kinya.

The afternoon session will feature a panel discussion on “How to Organise Homestay Activities Correctly and Effectively”.

Panelists will include representatives from TAT's Conservation Department, Community Development Department, and successful managers of homestay destinations in Thailand including Kiriwong village in Nakhon Si Thammarat and Plai Pong Pang village in Samut Songkhram and Koh Yao Noi Municipality in Phang Nga.

Admission is free. The seminar will be in Thai and English (with simultaneous interpretation).