Published: 29/04/2011 at 12:00 AM
Thai and foreign tourists are being urged to help save the environment at tourist sites in Thailand as about 500 are endangered and need to be improved, says the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT).
‘‘Many attractions no longer draw tourists, such as Huay Kaew waterfall in Chiang Mai because it has run dry.Wehave to protect our environment for the next generation, orwe will lose more than our tourism competitiveness in the future,’’ says Mr Prakit.
The TAT introduced a campaign yesterday called ''Travel with a New Heart for Sustainable Thailand'' in a bid to encourage tourists to help look after tourist destinations and their environment.
The Department of Tourism reports about 400-500 sites are in ruins and are scheduled to be restored by 2015. Renovation of at least 200 sites will be finished by 2012.
The department found restoration is required because local administrative organisations at both tambon and provincial levels and the people living near the sites do not understand how to develop their attractions in a sustainable manner. At the same time, tourists remain ignorant of pollution.
The TAT believes the sustainability of Thai tourism depends mainly on the natural environment.
''Many attractions no longer draw tourists, such as Huay Kaew waterfall in Chiang Mai because it has run dry. We have to protect our environment for the next generation, or we will lose more than our tourism competitiveness in the future,'' said Prakit Piriyakiat, a TAT deputy governor for marketing communications.
He said dilapidated tourist sites would eventually affect other sites and their environment.
The tourism industry needs to figure out how to balance generating big revenues with keeping the environment sustainable.
''We need to balance the costs of tourism and marketing schemes as we encourage the emerging domestic travel sector. We want people to appreciate the value of Thailand's natural beauty,'' said Mr Prakit.
The TAT has set aside a budget of 20 million baht budget to promote the campaign from 2011-13.
Credit: Bangkok Post (www.bangkokpost.com)
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