Thailand’s tourism minister Phiphat Ratchakitprakarn has met with China’s Minister of Culture and Tourism, Hu Heping, in Beijing. Also present were Atthayut Srisamut, Thailand Ambassador to China, and Yuthasak Supasorn, Governor of the Tourism Authority of Thailand. The meeting was aimed at strengthening tourism ties between both countries, according to a TAT press release.
During the meeting, Phiphat extended an invitation to Minister Hu Heping to visit Thailand and provided an update on Thailand’s preparation to welcome Chinese tourists. Phiphat also reiterated the Thai tourism industry’s efforts to strengthen two-way tourism cooperation with China and promote human resource mobilisation and cultural exchanges between the two nations.
“On behalf of the Thai government and the Thai people, I would like to express our sincere thanks to the Chinese government for its continued confidence in Thailand as a preferred holiday destination, and for including the kingdom among the 20 pilot destinations for the resumption of group travel from China.”
Hu Heping noted that the recent visit to Thailand by Chinese President Xi Jinping was significant for strengthening the long-standing Chinese-Thai relations. He recognised the importance of tourism and cultural exchanges between the two nations and added that his ministry would continue to cooperate with its Thai counterpart in organising the annual Chinese New Year celebrations in Thailand.
This year marks 17 years of cooperation between the TAT and China’s Ministry of Culture and Tourism and the Chinese Embassy in Thailand in organising the Chinese New Year celebrations in Thailand, one of 5 countries around the world that celebrate the biggest Chinese New Year festivities outside of China.
Meanwhile TAT Governor Yuthasak Supasorn says a discussion was also held on a possible collaboration to organise the Moon Festival in Thailand, further strengthening relationships among the public and private sectors, as well as the people of China and Thailand. This year, the Moon Festival, also known as the Mid-Autumn Festival or Mooncake Festival, falls on September 29.
SOURCE: Tourism Authority of Thailand
