Officials move to bolster tourism

PHUKET: A large group led by Governor CEO Pongpayome Vasaputi will go to Europe next week to promote tourism to Phuket. Their visit to the annual World Travel Market (WTM) in London, comes amid concern about tourism prospects in the wake of the Bali bombing, and following travel advisories from a number of governments, including Britain’s, warning travelers to be careful in Thailand, and specifically in Phuket. The party will include local Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) Director Anupharp Thirarath, Phuket Provincial Administration Organization (OrBorJor) President Dr Prasit Koeysiripong, representatives of the Phuket Tourist Association (PTA), and 15 travel agents from Phuket. Some 3,000 copies of a VCD made by the PTA to promote Phuket will be given to travel agents and tourists at the WTM. At the end of next week the party will go to Paris to meet with the local TAT branch and with French travel agents.