Pattaya-area tourism businesses were encouraged to use Thailand’s growing presence in halal services and exports to boost visitors from Muslim countries.
City Councilman Rattanachai Sutidechanai, head of the Tourism and Culture Committee, welcomed Pakorn Pariyakorn, director of the Thailand Halal Standards Institute, and Wej Titiwanitchwong, deputy marketing Information director for the Tourism Authority of Thailand, to the TAT-sponsored seminar at the A-One Royal Cruise Hotel March 16.
The workshop was aimed at promoting businesses to support Muslim tourism marketing based on a Cabinet resolution on promotion and development of Halal products.
Thailand ranks 13th in the world for halal exports, behind Indonesia and Malaysia, which ranked 9th and 10th, respectively.
While Thailand is a Buddhist country, overseas Muslim consumers know Halal products from Thailand, the entrepreneurs were told. Halal food exports are growing about 20% yearly and the Department of Industrial Promotion expects 2016 exports to total US$1.6 million, including tourists who come from the Middle East for medical services in Thailand.
In 2014, exports of goods and food to 57 Muslim member countries of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation totaled more than $164.4 billion. Thailand exported $5.1 billion in halal foods to OIC countries, comprising 17% of the country’s food exports.
Thailand ranks 13th in the world for halal exports, behind Indonesia and Malaysia, which ranked 9th and 10th, respectively. The top five markets were Indonesia, Malaysia, Nigeria, Benin, and the United Arab Emirates.
Speakers said Thailand has the potential to expand production of halal products and services by obtaining a Halal Food Certification.
They said the government should promote and develop that potential to increase the country’s competitiveness.
