The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) hosted an ‘ESG activity in Thailand’ for 48 international delegates attending the Air Canada Asia Pacific Sales Summit, which was held from 6-7 December at the Royal Orchid Sheraton Hotel and Towers on Bangkok’s riverside. The event marked Air Canada’s resumption of its Bangkok-Vancouver service from 3 December.
Mr. Siripakorn Cheawsamoot, TAT Deputy Governor for International Marketing – Europe, Africa, the Middle East, and the Americas, said “Underlining the environment, social and governance or ESG, the activity underscores several areas under the Sustainable Tourism Goals which TAT has developed and implemented in line with the United Nations’s 17 Sustainable Development Goals. These include efficient and clean energy, sustainable destinations and communities, and climate action.”
The half-day event took place at Wat Arun or the Temple of Dawn on 7 December in the presence of Mrs. Titiporn Maneenate, TAT Executive Director for the Americas Region Department, and Mrs. Malinee Nitikasetsunthorn, TAT Deputy Executive Director for the Americas Region.
Highlights included historical sightseeing of Wat Arun, enjoying refreshing Thai ice cream shaped like the temple’s ceramic tile pattern, and trying a hand at making creative coasters with concrete waste in a local community workshop. Delegates were moved around in electric tuk-tuks and public ferry reflecting the activity’s commitment to efficient and clean energy.
The TAT executives led by Mr. Siripakorn also paid a visit to H.E. Ping Kitnikone, Ambassador of Canada to the Kingdom of Thailand and discussed opportunities for tourism cooperation with Air Canada’s management during the Air Canada Appreciation Reception at the Canadian Ambassador’s Residence.
Air Canada resumed its Bangkok-Vancouver service with four flights per week from 3 December 2023 to 3 May 2024. It will increase to a daily operation in January and February 2024 to cater to high demand.
The airline operates on the route using a Boeing 787-9 Dreamline with 298 seats comprising 30 in Air Canada Signature, 21 in Premium Economy, and 247 in Economy Class.
From 1 January to 11 December 2023, Thailand recorded 191,720 travellers from Canada. TAT has set a ‘best case’ target for 207,000 travellers from Canada in 2023 and 233,200 travellers in 2024.
TAT has launched several marketing initiatives to stimulate travel to Thailand among key segments – luxury, sustainable, romance and LGBTQ+. These include the “Come re-discover your Thailand” and the “Meaningful Thailand with Tourism Care” projects. (TAT)
