by Reinhard Hohler, Chiang Mai
Some 120 United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) delegates attended the high-level regional conference on Green Tourism at the Le Meridien Hotel in Chiang Mai on May 3-5, 2012 and were overwhelmed by the warm hospitality delivered to them by the host committee.
Thailand’s Ministry of Tourism and Sports went an extra long way to advertise obviously the qualifications of tourism location and touring in terms of service and security, especially after the heavy flood disaster in 2011. In 2011, Thailand reached the number of 19 million foreign tourist arrivals to increase at 19.84% from the year before. In 2012, the number of foreign tourists is expected to expand for another 3.7%. In Chiang Mai alone, there were 4,376,935 tourists counted in 2011, increasing 10% from the year 2010.
It was up to M.L. Panadda Diskul, Governor of Chiang Mai, to give the welcome remarks on May 3, while new PATA CEO Mr. Martin Craigs hinted to the fact that aviation is the vital link to the travel & tourism industry and should be treated accordingly. After the opening address of Mr. Taleb Rifal, Secretary-General of UNWTO, H.E. Mr. Chumpol Silapa-archa, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Tourism and Sports, inaugurated the event by mentioning that tourism is the engine of economic growth creating jobs and higher income.
Chiang Mai was chosen to be the location for the conference on Green Tourism, because it is already a renowned tourism destination in the Kingdom of Thailand known for its nature and pristine environment, which has successfully helped to develop ecotourism and sustainable tourism. Also, Chiang Mai took the opportunity to showcase its ideal infrastructure to the world by organizing this international event and is now ready to become a perfect centre for meetings and exhibition in the Mekong region as well as ASEAN and beyond.
In the keynote session, tourism in the UN Green Economy Report was highlighted, ecotourism initiatives in Asia and the Pacific were named, green innovation explained, as well as research and academic perspectives on Green Tourism mentioned. The following afternoon country session gave impressive samples of ecotourism in Malaysia, Thailand, Sri Lanka, India, Bhutan, South Korea, Philippines, and the Maldives. Furthermore, private sector initiatives were introduced in Nepal, the Banyan Tree Global Foundation was examined, and last not least media perspectives on Green Tourism were given.
On the second day of the conference, media delegates had the chance to visit Doi Suthep Temple, Chiang Mai Zoo and the soon to be opened Chiang Mai International Convention and Exhibition Centre, while the last day of the conference was reserved for technical tours, such as a visit to Huai Hongkhrai Royal Development Study Centre and Bo Sang Handicraft Centre or to the Thai Elephant Conservation Centre in Lampang.
On the social side, delegates experienced a special welcome dinner at Royal Park Rajapruek on the evening of May 3 hosted by H.E. Chumpol Silapa-archa and a sumptuous farewell dinner on May 4 at the Shangri-La Hotel hosted by the Ministry of Tourism and Sports and the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT).
All in all, the obvious benefit for Chiang Mai and Thailand received from this event is to have illustrated the ability and potential in management of the international meeting to global level. Especially Chiang Mai proved to the world that it is a more than suitable location for secure meeting events with its outmost hospitable Lan Na culture and variety of tourism products and services.
For further information on Green Tourism, please go to the web-site of UNWTO or contact GMS Media Travel Consultant Reinhard Hohler by e-mail: sara@cmnet.co.th
