Bangkok, 6 October, 2017 – The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) in cooperation with the Ministry of Tourism and Sports recently hosted the ASEAN Plus Three Tourism Youth Summit 2017, from 18 to 24 September in Bangkok.
The event was attended by 46 delegates, including tourism youth and officials from the National Tourism Organisations of ASEAN member states as well as Japan. The participants continued their activities in the Philippines, from 25-30 September, 2017.
The ASEAN Plus Three Tourism Youth Summit 2017 was co-hosted by Thailand and the Philippines with the aim to promote a network of tourism youth in the region. The event was held under the theme ‘ASEAN Plus Three Youth for Competitive and Sustainable Tourism Development’ in line with the ASEAN Tourism Strategic Plan for 2016-2025 and to mark the United Nations Year of Sustainable Tourism for Development in 2017.
Dr. Walailak Noypayak, TAT Executive Director for ASEAN, South Asia and South Pacific Region said, “TAT recognises the importance of developing a sustainable and well-integrated tourism industry, for which close cooperation with all concerned is required. This tourism youth initiative is a great tool to build love and understanding, and can lead to balanced sustainable tourism development both for Thailand and the region.”
In Bangkok, delegates of the ASEAN Plus Three Tourism Youth Summit 2017 attended a meeting on 21 September at the Berkeley Hotel Pratunam. They were also hosted to several activities that focused on unique Thai local experiences during the seven-day trip.
This included the ‘Bangkok Hidden Treasure Hunt’ at Nang Loeng Market, where delegates had the chance to try their hand at many local experiences including a Lakhon Chatri, lesson, one of the oldest forms of Thai music and dance arts. They also learned how to make Thai iced-tea, a traditional dessert and one of Thailand’s all-time favourite dishes, Som Tam.
“Delegates were keen to learn about unique Thai local experiences, and enthusiastically shared their experiences with their friends and followers on Instagram. The interaction among delegates plus the community people helps build a better understanding of the Thai culture and local way of life,” said Dr. Walailak.
Following the completion of the 13-day trip in Thailand and the Philippines, a group of youth will be selected to attend the ASEAN Plus Three Youth for Competitive and Sustainable Tourism Development project in Japan, from 15 to 19 October, 2017.
