Thailand Tourism Review

I am sure many in the Kingdom will agree that we have experienced a period of great change in Thailand since our last edition. Those of us in the travel industry have closely been following the many issues we face. The travel industry is vital to Thailand and its citizens on many levels. It provides employment for hundreds of thousands of excellent people, and also brings in valuable revenue that supports families around the country.

We at Diethelm Travel are incredibly proud that Thailand and its people are viewed the world over as one of the best travel experiences on the planet. We are all working vigorously to ensure this rating remains.

So this year we have decided to do something a little different with our annual review.

Because tourism is so vital to Thailand’s future, our publication this year is focussing on the 50 most important topics facing the Thai travel industry in the coming months. We believe that all of the topics you are about to read are of equal importance. We have not ranked them, as every one has an impact on the industry’s future.

It will take a group effort to ensure our vital industry survives and prospers, and the 50 topics covered in the following pages will provide vital talking points in the months to come.

Once again this year we gathered some of the industry’s most important people to discuss many of these issues and provide genuine solutions in many areas at the Diethelm Travel’s Thailand Tourism Review Roundtable. It was a fruitful exercise and one that produced many ideas and some cautions for the future of the travel industry. You can read a full report from this event on page 17.

Finally, this has been an amazing year for the Kingdom of Thailand and for Diethelm Travel. On the 5th of December the entire country will unite as we celebrate His Majesty the King’s 80th birthday. What a wonderful occasion this will be.

We at Diethelm Travel also celebrated 50 years of operations in Thailand, an achievement that makes us all very proud. So please enjoy reading about our 50 important issues in your Diethelm Travel’s Thailand Tourism Review and take time to digest the information and issues we discuss.

Written by John Watson, Chief Executive Officer, Diethelm Travel
Published by Bangkok Post - www.bangkokpost.com