Bangkok, 26 September, 2014 – Thai tourism entities and personalities recently won several awards at the second Digital Innovation Asia (DIA) Awards during the finale of the DIA E-Tourism Asia Boot Camp held on 3 September, 2014, in Bangkok, Thailand.
Representatives from the tourism industry including hotels, start-ups, tour operators and travel bloggers attended the Awards, which recognise companies, organisations, initiatives and individuals that embrace the marketing power of social media and mobile technology to enhance the tourism experience and promote sustainable travel. Judges were chosen for their expertise in travel technology, digital media and online startups.
Thai companies and entrepreneurs did well in several categories. Transport booking engine 12Go Asia won the DIA Award that recognises innovative use of mobile technology and social media to promote tourism in the Asia-Pacific.
The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) took home the E-Tourism Asia Award for its Thailand Makeover Campaign, which judges decided had the most engaging digital presence. Thai tour company LookAlike.com won the Digital Aid Asia Award for the most socially responsible digital initiative to support sustainable ecotourism.
The Blogger Matchup Award, to recognise captivating digital storytelling promoting the Asia-Pacific, awards was won by Bangkok-based Mark Wiens for his food blog, Migrationaology.com, Ms. Thapanee Kiapthaibool, Director of Marketing Information Technology Group of TAT was named one of the Top Five Digital Innovators in Asia.
TAT Governor, Mr. Thawatchai Arunyik said, “Mobile technology, social media are changing the way people travel and find information about the places they want to visit and experiences they are seeking. It’s good to see that so many Thai companies and entrepreneurs are exploring ways to use social media, blogs, and mobile platforms to enhance the experiences of tourists coming to Thailand and exploring the region as a whole. The fact that so many Thai companies and individuals have been recognised for their work shows that the kingdom is on the cutting edge of this new technology.”
Second DIA Awards Line-up
Most Impactful Digital Innovation
Winner: 12Go, Thailand, www.12go.asia/en
Runner Ups:
Spottly, Hong Kong SAR, www.spottly.com
Trip38, India, www.trip38.com
Most Engaging Digital Presence
Winner: Tourism Authority of Thailand for the Thailand Makeover Campaign
Runner Ups:
Tourism Victoria, Australia for the Remote Control Tourist initiative
Cebu Pacific Airlines, Philippines for the Rain Codes initiative
Most Relevant Chinese Digital Presence
Winner: Shangri-La Hotels and Resorts, Hong Kong SAR for the Tibet Pilgrimage initiative
Runner Ups:
Air New Zealand for the Romance Class initiative
Tourism Indonesia for the Chinese Blogger Trip initiative
Most Socially Responsible Digital Initiative
Winner: LocalAlike.com, Thailand for the tours initiative
Runner Ups:
MySocialMotion.org, Thailand for the Social Giving initiative
AirAsia, Malaysia for the Philippines Typhoon Relief initiative
Most Captivating Digital Story Telling
Winner: Mark Wiens of Migrationology.com, Thailand for the Thailand: Eating Thai Food Video Blog
Runner Ups:
Bino Caina of FramelessWorld.com, Philippines for the Anlong Pi – Life in a Garbage Dump in Cambodia initiative
Nelson Mochileros of Mochileros.org, Peru for the Thailand: Exploring Kanchanaburi
The Top 5 Digital Innovators in Asia
Tourism Sector: Thapanee Kiapthaibool, Tourism Authority of Thailand
Aviation Sector: Angelina Fernandez, AirAsia X
Hotels Sector: Michael Leong, Shangri-La Hotels & Resorts
Technology Sector: Steven Htut, Myanmars.Net
Media Sector, Amy Kunrojpanya , Google
Contact Information
International Public Relations Division
Tourism Authority of Thailand
Tel: +66 (0) 2250 5500 ext. 4545-48
Fax: +66 (0) 2253 7419
E-mail: [email protected]
Website: www.tatnews.org
Facebook: TAT Newsroom
Twitter: TAT Newsroom
