PHUKET: Battery-charging stations at popular tourist spots is just one of the innovations planned by the new Minister for Tourism and Sport, Kobkarn Wattanavrangkul, as she introduces ''Smart Tourism.''
So many people use Facebook, Twitter and other social media that the minister aims to cater to these travellers, she told an interviewer at Post Today.
The use of a new approach will extend to wider use of ''talkie tours'' where people can hire headsets and walk with a guide in their own language.
Khun Kobkarn plans to promote more out-of-the-way destinations throughout Thailand, driving tourists off the beaten track to less well known provinces such as Ranong, Chumporn and Chantaburi.
''People who stay in local communities and experience their lifestyles tend to bond with the community and return for repeat visits,'' she said. ''It also presents an opportunity for local students to work as guides.''
Khun Kobkarn said she was already talking to the Education Ministry about ways in which the language skills of guides could be swiftly upgraded with intensive courses.
''Our aim will be not to drive up the numbers of tourists but to improve quality and the length of time people stay,'' she said. Those figures work in favor of European travellers, who stay for an average of 15 days compared to the five days of Asian visitors.
''Sheer numbers do not indicate quality at all,'' she said.
Road trips are to be made more frequently in 2015 and she was beginning the program with a visit to Japan, where as head of Toshiba Thailand she already has formed strong connections.
She added that she had no connection with the military and no connections with politics and would use her business savvy to benefit tourism.
So many people use Facebook, Twitter and other social media that the minister aims to cater to these travellers, she told an interviewer at Post Today.
The use of a new approach will extend to wider use of ''talkie tours'' where people can hire headsets and walk with a guide in their own language.
Khun Kobkarn plans to promote more out-of-the-way destinations throughout Thailand, driving tourists off the beaten track to less well known provinces such as Ranong, Chumporn and Chantaburi.
''People who stay in local communities and experience their lifestyles tend to bond with the community and return for repeat visits,'' she said. ''It also presents an opportunity for local students to work as guides.''
Khun Kobkarn said she was already talking to the Education Ministry about ways in which the language skills of guides could be swiftly upgraded with intensive courses.
''Our aim will be not to drive up the numbers of tourists but to improve quality and the length of time people stay,'' she said. Those figures work in favor of European travellers, who stay for an average of 15 days compared to the five days of Asian visitors.
''Sheer numbers do not indicate quality at all,'' she said.
Road trips are to be made more frequently in 2015 and she was beginning the program with a visit to Japan, where as head of Toshiba Thailand she already has formed strong connections.
She added that she had no connection with the military and no connections with politics and would use her business savvy to benefit tourism.
Just encourages even more people to walk around with their heads bent over their devices rather than actually enjoying their environment.
Daft.
The Minister should be helping improve the tourism experience. And there's a lot of work to be done other than installing battery top ups!
Posted by jimbo34 on September 22, 2014 12:31