Thailand
Help for Cambodian, Lao local schemes
Thailand is to provide the know-how and expertise to help develop community-based tourism (CBT) in Laos, Cambodia and Bhutan.
This will be the first time the three countries are working closely with Thailand specifically on CBT development, after joining forces on cross-border tourism, logistics and connectivity, and environment issues.
Chuwit Mitrchob, deputy director-general at the Designed Areas for Sustainable Tourism Administration (Dasta), said the agency has signed a memorandum of understanding with tourism authorities of Luang Prabang and Xayaburi in Laos for the framework.
Dasta expects to sign a similar agreement with Cambodia’s Apsara National Authority this year. It is also talking with the Tourism Council of Bhutan on CBT development.
“Laos and Cambodia have asked Dasta to help develop and promote their unique communities to become tourist destinations,” Mr Chuwit said.
“Both neighbouring countries want to improve the tourism industry’s community approach. They also need more foreign visitors to help drive the economy.”
Dasta has agreed to initially provide knowledge and expertise as well as business models to operators and tourism organisations in Laos and Cambodia to guide them in the right direction. A series of community visits will follow.
Mr Chuwit said Thailand’s communities can be good models for Laos and Cambodia, which can learn and gain insight from the communities and adopt their successful strategies.
Bhutan is seeking to learn about tourism and destination management from Thailand, which in turn will take a closer look at the Himalayan kingdom’s success as a unique destination.
Dasta and Bhutan plan to promote Dan Sai district in Loei province as the Bhutan of Thailand, given the similarity of the district’s mountainous landscape to Bhutan’s.
Another potential CBT model is Ban Rai Kong Khing, a community in Hang Dong district in Chiang Mai, which won the Tourism Inspire Award 2015 as the best community-based tourism initiative.
The village was awarded for demonstrating excellence in social, environmental and economic sustainability in tourism based on sustainable consumption and production principles.
Dasta helped the village by conducting training programmes and developing tourism services in the community.
The village currently provides services such as community tours, organic food, traditional Lanna massages and herbal products, increasing their income by 10% by following standards set by Dasta.
Mr Chuwit said Dasta has established its academy to provide data and information about CBT to tourism operators and organisations. It also conducts research and training for stakeholders.
Aside from working with Laos, Cambodia and Bhutan, Dasta may also offer CBT tourism development framework and assistance to other countries in the region.
This year, Dasta has continued working with Unesco to produce local guides with extensive knowledge on local tourist attractions, as encouraged by Unesco, which certifies and preserves world heritage sites.
Dasta and Unesco already certified 53 local guides from communities near Sukhothai Historical Park.
Source: https://www.bangkokpost.com/business/tourism-and-transport/1337447/help-for-cambodian-lao-local-schemes