Bangkok--18 Nov--Thai Airways
Ministry of Transport along with government agencies, business operators, airlines, and travel and tourism associations announced the seminar on “Promoting Air Transport to Thailand — Silken Sky of Paradise,” that aims to provide a forum for discussing policies and directives related to air transport between Thailand and the People’s Republic of China.
H.E. Sopon Zarum, Minister of Transport of the Kingdom of Thailand, said the Ministry is hosting the Seminar on Air Transport “Silken Sky of Paradise” on the 24th November 2010 at the Novotel Suvarnabhumi Airport Hotel, aiming to accelerate the recovery of the aviation industry, and driving Thailand to be an aviation hub and to be the tourism industry’s hub for the region. This seminar will provide a forum for exchange of information and suggestions for resolving various issues and promoting the air transport industry through markets from major Chinese-speaking countries for increased travel to Thailand. Although the formal relationship between Thailand and China has reached its 35th anniversary this past July, the relationship between Thailand and China has existed for centuries.
Thailand has given much importance to promoting cooperation in trade and investments with China. Trade between the two countries had grown steadily from 2005 to 2010, with investment reaching U.S. $ 1 billion. A significant number of tourists are travelers to and from Thailand and China, and continues to increase year after year. Statistics from the Department of Civil Aviation shows there were 2,139,558 Chinese tourists traveling to Thailand from 2008 — 2010, indicating strong economic relations between the two countries.
In mid-2009 as a result of airport closure and other crisis, the Ministry of Transport set up a Committee on accelerating the recovery of the aviation industry, promoting Thailand to be an aviation hub and tourism hub for the region, and promoting the air transport industry. Hence, on 4 December 2009, the Committee organized the first seminar of this kind, emphasizing tourists from China, as the figures for Chinese tourists having dropped dramatically at the time, even though the Chinese market was growing quickly. However, due to another political crisis in 2010, the Committee decided there should also be seminar held in 2010, with Thai Airways International as the organizer.
Joining the Minister of Transport at this press conference was Mr. Chokchai Panyayong, THAI Executive Vice President of Strategy & Business Development, Chairman of the Organizing Sub-Committee for “Promoting Air Transport to Thailand — Silken Sky of Paradise.”
The seminar is a full day seminar and will take place on Wednesday, 24 November 2010, at Novotel Suvarnabhumi Airport Hotel. The official opening will be presided by H.E. Sopon Zarum, Minister of Transport. The seminar is headed by Ministry of Transport, with sponsorship by Thai Airways International, Airports of Thailand, Thailand Convention and Exhibition Bureau, King Power Duty Free, Thai Air Asia, Bangkok Airways, Tourism Authority of Thailand, Association of Thai Travel Agents, Thai-Chinese Tourism Alliance Association, Airline Operators Committee, State Railway of Thailand, and Novotel Suvarnabhumi Airport Hotel.
This special event promises to enlighten invited guests and media, from Thailand and abroad, on how to better develop and enhance conveniences for Chinese travelers or Chinese tourism in Thailand to accommodate the growing volume of Chinese-speaking travelers. Speaking at the event will be the Minister of Transport, Government Agencies, Business Operators, and travel and tourism associations. The program also includes panel discussions and table-top business session to strengthen cooperation and ensure future development of the industry.
Over 70 key travel operators and media from the People’s Republic of China, Hong Kong, and Taiwan will participate at the seminar.