TWO PROFESSORS from Australia have spent three days assessing Phuket's qualities as a seminar destination for world health issues.
Their conclusion: the island is a fit place for such a gathering about healthy tourism.
Professor Brent Powis, a first-time visitor, said: ''I am not surprised why tourists keep coming back to Phuket.
''It's very beautiful and the people are extremely friendly. I plan to bring my family back and take a holiday here after the seminar.''
The seminar on June 4 and June 5 will bring experts from around Thailand and Asean to talk about protecting tourists from pandemics and associated health issues with travel.
Professor Powis is the director of the WHO Collaborating Centre, University of Western Sydney. He was visiting Phuket with Associate Professor Robyn Bushell, Head of Tourism, School of Social Sciences, at the university.
The seminar will involve at least 100 representatives from 13 countries and follows the successful international gathering in 2008 that looked at dengue fever.
Professor Bushell said that tourists sometimes forgot to consider the broader health issues when they travel.
Prevention of pandemics and awareness about scare factors such as bird flu and AIDs could actually help tourism, not harm it, she said.
The two profesors have been hired to carry out research as part of the Asean Plus Three Emerging Infectious Diseases Program. The results of their research will be presented at the June seminar.
Their focus is on 10 priority tourist destinations. From Phuket and Bangkok they will go to Hanoi, Halong Bay, Vientiane, Luang Prabang, Phnom Penh, Siem Riap, Manila, Baguio City and Bali.
In May they will also take in Yangon, Melaka and Brunei.
The Asean Plus Three Emeerging Infectious Diseases Program is managed by the Asean Secretariat and funded by AusAID.
Part of the project aims to avoid unnecessary negative impact of emerging infectious diseases on the tourism industry by strengthening the partnership between health and tourism sectors.
Andaman into Overdrive for Tourists in March
Latest A survey of Phuket resorts shows the first indications of March bookings as the Andaman region gears up for world's most important travel fair in Berlin.
Andaman into Overdrive for Tourists in March
Phuket Airport Figures Chart 2009 Island Decline
Latest Phuket passenger flight figures reflect the real scale of the island's downturn as calls come for realistic property prices and beach loungers come at a discount.
Phuket Airport Figures Chart 2009 Island Decline
Their conclusion: the island is a fit place for such a gathering about healthy tourism.
Professor Brent Powis, a first-time visitor, said: ''I am not surprised why tourists keep coming back to Phuket.
''It's very beautiful and the people are extremely friendly. I plan to bring my family back and take a holiday here after the seminar.''
The seminar on June 4 and June 5 will bring experts from around Thailand and Asean to talk about protecting tourists from pandemics and associated health issues with travel.
Professor Powis is the director of the WHO Collaborating Centre, University of Western Sydney. He was visiting Phuket with Associate Professor Robyn Bushell, Head of Tourism, School of Social Sciences, at the university.
The seminar will involve at least 100 representatives from 13 countries and follows the successful international gathering in 2008 that looked at dengue fever.
Professor Bushell said that tourists sometimes forgot to consider the broader health issues when they travel.
Prevention of pandemics and awareness about scare factors such as bird flu and AIDs could actually help tourism, not harm it, she said.
The two profesors have been hired to carry out research as part of the Asean Plus Three Emerging Infectious Diseases Program. The results of their research will be presented at the June seminar.
Their focus is on 10 priority tourist destinations. From Phuket and Bangkok they will go to Hanoi, Halong Bay, Vientiane, Luang Prabang, Phnom Penh, Siem Riap, Manila, Baguio City and Bali.
In May they will also take in Yangon, Melaka and Brunei.
The Asean Plus Three Emeerging Infectious Diseases Program is managed by the Asean Secretariat and funded by AusAID.
Part of the project aims to avoid unnecessary negative impact of emerging infectious diseases on the tourism industry by strengthening the partnership between health and tourism sectors.
Andaman into Overdrive for Tourists in March
Latest A survey of Phuket resorts shows the first indications of March bookings as the Andaman region gears up for world's most important travel fair in Berlin.
Andaman into Overdrive for Tourists in March
Phuket Airport Figures Chart 2009 Island Decline
Latest Phuket passenger flight figures reflect the real scale of the island's downturn as calls come for realistic property prices and beach loungers come at a discount.
Phuket Airport Figures Chart 2009 Island Decline
