On March 11, 2024, a pivotal gathering unfolded at the Colonial Hall Room of the Centara Grand Beach Resort and Villas in Hua Hin, Prachuap Province. Ms. Thaphanee Kiatpaiboon, Governor of the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT), alongside Mr. Khomkrit Charoenpattanasombat, Deputy Governor of Prachuap Province, co-chaired a meeting aimed at soliciting input from various stakeholders on strategies to enhance tourism in Prachuap Province.
The event drew participation from esteemed figures including Mr. Chanat Phongtharathik, President of the Tourism Industry of Prachuap Province, Mr. Wasan Kittikul, President of the Western Thai Hotels Association, and Mrs. Wasana Srikanchana, President of the Hua Hin/Cha-am Tourism Business Association. Additionally, representatives from government agencies, the private sector, tourism partners, and media outlets from Hua Hin and Cha-am lent their perspectives to the discussions.
Governor Kiatpaiboon underscored the government’s ambitious vision to position Thailand as the premier tourism destination in the region, in alignment with the Prime Minister’s Thailand Vision policy. She outlined four key measures aimed at elevating tourism standards, including the development of the Western Tourism Development Zone and the creation of world-class tourism destinations. Discussions also centered around initiatives to promote health tourism, enhance shopping and dining experiences, and attract international events.
During the meeting, various policies for promoting and developing tourism in Prachuap Province were presented. These included insights shared by the Deputy Governor of Prachuap Province on tourism development in the western seaside tourism development zone, as well as reports on hotel occupancy rates in the area and guidelines for tourism promotion by industry leaders.
Attendees deliberated on critical issues such as expanding flight routes to attract foreign tourists from cities like Chiang Mai, Hat Yai, and Udon Thani, bolstering public relations efforts, enhancing sales promotions for tourism products and services, and promoting rail tourism. The emphasis remained on positioning Prachuap Khiri Khan as a dream destination for all types of travelers.
The forum exemplified a collaborative effort between TAT and various sectors, both governmental and private, underscoring a collective commitment to advancing tourism initiatives in Prachuap Province. The insights gathered during the discussions are expected to pave the way for further integration and collaboration to drive the tourism economy in the region.
