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.
