A total of 38 individuals, institutions, companies and organisations which have provided unstinting support to the Thai travel and tourism industry over the years will be presented with the “Friends of Thailand Awards 2013” at the Thailand Travel Mart 2013 Plus. Initiated by the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) in 1996, the Friends of Thailand Awards are conferred every two years to recognise and reward the efforts of the award-winners to maintain a positive image of Thailand and ensure a steady flow of visitor arrivals.
This year’s awards were presented to 38 “friends” from 24 countries – seven international individuals from seven countries; three international organisation; 14 international tour operator from nine countries; 12 international media from 12 countries and two international airlines from two countries.
Suraphon Svetasreni, Governor, TAT commented, “The awards presentation ceremony for the “Friends of Thailand,” is normally organised alongside the “Thailand Tourism Awards” towards the end of the year. But this year, for the first time, we organised it alongside the Thailand Travel Mart Plus 2013 (TTM+) so that the award-winners can gain more recognition and also see the results of their efforts.”
He further added that TAT realises and appreciates the efforts of both Thai and foreign organizations and individuals which have generated many benefits for the tourism industry, including economic development, job creation and preservation of our culture and heritage. The award-winners also included stakeholders who have contributed to preservation of the environment, culture and national identity.
The winners are nominated by 25 of TAT’s overseas offices and finalised by a judging committee which this year was chaired by the TAT Deputy Governor for International Marketing (Asia and South Pacific). Committee Members included the Deputy Governor for International Marketing (Europe, Africa, Middle East and Americas), Director of Thailand Conventional and Exhibition Bureau, President of Tourism Council of Thailand, Association of Thai Travel Agents, Thai Hotels Association, Thai Ecotourism and Adventure Travel Association, Thai Travel Agents Association, Association of Thai Tourism Marketing and Executives of Thai Airways International and Tourism Authority of Thailand.
