BANGKOK, Oct 16 (TNA) — Thailand would generate 3.38 trillion baht from tourism this year, Tourism and Sports Minister Phiphat Ratchakitprakarn said.
The minister made the estimation while opening the DASTA Forum 2019 at Renaissance Hotel. He said that tourism played very important roles in boosting the economy and the government expected tourism-related income to account for 22% of the gross domestic product by 2022 and 30% of the GDP by 2037.
However, Mr Phiphat pointed out that Thailand had yet to achieve the sustainable development of its tourism industry. The tourism demand of the country was growing but the supply side was not secure, he said.
The minister said that Designated Areas for Sustainable Tourism Administration (DASTA) was helping solve the problem as it was enhancing the capacities of communities in providing local tourist services. The public organization was also improving tourist attractions in designated areas, he said.
DASTA director-general Taweebhong Wichaidit said DASTA’s projects enabled the communities it developed to raise their income by 20.14% this year. (TNA)
