APEC TOURISM WORKING GROUP TO MEET IN AYUTTHAYA

About 50 senior officials of national tourism organisations from 21 Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) economies are to convene for the 19th Tourism Working Group Meeting in Ayutthaya during November 21-23, 2001.

A study being compiled by Thailand on removing impediments to the growth of travel and tourism in the APEC region is expected to be one of the major agenda items for discussion.

The APEC Tourism Working Group (TWG) is entrusted with implementing the four policies and programmes outlined in the Tourism Charter adopted by the first APEC Ministerial Meeting in Seoul in 2000. The follow-up of each of those four points has been assigned to a different APEC country.

These include 1) Removal of Impediments to the Tourism Business and Investment (assigned to Thailand), 2) Increase Mobility of Visitors and Demand for Tourism Goods and Services (Canada), 3) Sustainable Management of Tourism Outcomes and Impacts (New Zealand and Korea); and 4) Enhance Recognition and Understanding of Tourism as a Vehicle for Economic and Social Development (Australia).

TAT Governor Pradech Phayakvichien commented, “This year’s APEC main theme is ‘Meeting New Challenges in the New Century: Achieving Common Prosperity through Participation and Co-operation’. Certainly, many new challenges have emerged and it is crucial that all APEC member economies work closely together to help each other overcome the difficulties posed by the global economic slowdown.”

Ayutthaya was especially chosen for the meeting because of its status as a former Thai capital (1350-1767 AD) and a UNESCO-designated World Heritage Site. Located 86 kilometres north of Bangkok, the City has a magnificent array of ancient ruins, stupas, temples and museums featuring fine collections of Thai Buddhist sculpture, Ayutthaya pieces, and historical artifacts.

TAT Governor Pradech added, “Ayutthaya is a fine example of our clear commitment to ecologically and culturally sustainable tourism development, which is one of the APEC TWG’s policy goals to ‘sustainably manage tourism outcomes and impacts.”

Delegates will also have a chance to visit the historical sites as well as the Bang Sai Arts and Craft Village. They will be hosted to a number of social events including a cruise dinner by the Mayor and Tourist Business Association of Ayutthaya, a welcome dinner by the Ayutthaya Governor, and Farewell Dinner hosted by TAT.

APEC was formed by the leaders of the Asia Pacific economies in 1989. Its main goal is opening up the regional economies to a freer flow of trade in goods and services, including tourism.

Its 21 member economies include Australia, Brunei Darussalam, Canada, Chile, China, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Japan, Malaysia, Mexico, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea, Peru, Philippines, Russia, Singapore, South Korea, Taipei, Thailand, the US, and Viet Nam.