คำกล่าวเปิดงานการประชุมรัฐมนตรีการท่องเที่ยวของอาเซียน ครั้งที่ 11

(คำกล่าวเปิด “The 11^th Meeting of ASEAN Tourism Ministers” เมื่อวันที่ 21 มกราคม 2551 ณ ห้องวิภาวดีบอลลูม โรงแรมโซฟิเทล เซ็นทารา แกรนด์)

                          Address by His Excellency Mr. Paiboon Wattanasiritham

                                                     Deputy Prime Minister

                          and Minister of Social Development and Human Security

                                                  at the Opening Ceremony

                              of the 11^th Meeting of ASEAN Tourism Ministers

                                                       21 January 2008

                   Vibhavadee Ballroom A-B, Sofitel Centara Grand, Bangkok Hotel

Excellencies,

Distinguished Guests and Delegates,

Ladies and Gentlemen,

            It is my pleasure and honour to preside over the Opening Ceremony of the 11^th Meeting of ASEAN Tourism Ministers today.  It is also my particular pleasure to be able to welcome His Excellency Dr. Surin Pitsuwan, our new ASEAN Secretary-General, who is here attending his first ministerial-level ASEAN meeting in Thailand.  Let me assure you, Mr. Secretary-General, of Thailand’s full support for your future efforts.

            Tourism is extremely important for all of us in ASEAN.  It contributes to the socio-economic development of each of our countries and is intimately linked to many aspects of our cooperation.  I am thus glad to note the progress in the implementation of ASEAN cooperation on tourism, particularly the integration with the transportation sector, as transportation is a means to facilitate the travel of tourists and help our ASEAN region truly become a Single Destination.  I look forward to seeing more joint efforts that build on recent improvements to our road and rail networks as well as new air hubs and low-cost airlines in the region to enhance connectivity and drive future growth.

            For example, roads and bridges in the north of Thailand, linking the south of China passing through the LAO PDR and Thailand to Malaysia and Singapore, will facilitate the travel of Chinese tourists to our region.  Already, the route from Thailand crossing the Mekong River by the new bridge to the LAO PDR and Viet Nam has become popular among tourists.  In addition the Southern Corridor facilitates the travel of tourists between Cambodia and Viet Nam, while Cruise Tourism links Brunei Darussalam, Indonesia and the Philippines.

            With this enhanced connectivity, the ASEAN Summit in Singapore paid recognition to tourism as a key success indicator in realizing the ASEAN Economic Community.  But as we develop our tourism resources, we must also keep an eye on sustainability so as to ensure that future generations can also enjoy our rich natural and historical heritage.  I therefore appreciate the efforts being made to enhance sustainable development of the tourism sector, while uplifting the competitiveness of tourism service providers.  The challenge is to promote sustainable tourism involving substantial numbers of tourist arrivals while safeguarding our overall environment and national treasures.  I urge all stakeholders to join hands in investing in our common future.

            To be sure, we cannot stand still.  We need to add value to out tourism services and work more closely with our partners.  I am pleased to learn that under the umbrella of this ASEAN Tourism Forum, besides the ASEAN Plus Three Meeting with the Tourism Ministers of China, Japan and Korea, the ASEAN Tourism Ministers will also be meeting with their counterparts from the high growth markets of India and Russia.  Moreover, there will be consultations with international organizations such as the World Tourism Organization (WTO) and the International Organization for Standardization (ISO), including discussions on upgrading the standards of the spa business which is one of the service industries in our region with high potential.

            I particularly welcome the meetings of Tourism Ministers under the frameworks of the Greater Mekong Sub-region (GMS) and the Indonesia-Malaysia-Thailand Growth Triangle (IMT-GT). Indeed it is concrete initiatives under such practical frameworks that will contribute to socio-economic development on the ground.  The Visit IMT-GT Year 2008 is one such initiative, and I am sure other exciting projects will emerge in the future.

Excellencies,

Ladies and Gentlemen,

            In reiterating our warm welcome to all delegates, I do hope that you will have a happy and fruitful time in Thailand.  I wish the ASEAN Tourism Ministers’ Meeting and all related Meetings successful outcomes.  It is now my great pleasure to declare the Meeting open.

            Thank you.