Bangkok: “Tourism makes up about 6% of the economy. Thailand was the most visited country in Southeast Asia, according to the World Tourism Organization” informed Sandeep Marwah Managing Director of National Federation of Tourism And Transport Cooperatives of India Limited and President of Asian Institute of Hospitality And Tourism during his talk at Hotel Grand Hyatt Bangkok.
The estimates of tourism receipts directly contributing to the Thai GDP of 12 trillion baht range from 9 percent to 16 percent. When including the indirect effects of tourism, it is said to account for 20.2 percent (2.4 trillion baht) of Thailand’s GDP
The Tourism Authority of Thailand uses the slogan “Amazing Thailand” to promote Thailand internationally. In 2015, this was supplemented by a “Discover Thainess” campaign.
On the other hand the literacy rate of Thailand is 93.5%. Education is provided by a well-organized school system of kindergartens, primary, lower secondary and upper secondary schools, numerous vocational colleges, and universities. NFTC and AIHT are now developing new relationship with tourism and education industry of Thailand.
Education is compulsory up to and including age 14, with the government providing free education through to age 17 informed Marwah who was there at Bangkok on study tour.