World Tourism Organization to meet in Kata

KATA: The World Tourism Organization (WTO) Executive Council will hold an emergency meeting at the Kata Beach Resort on January 31 and February 1, to draw up plans to accelerate the recovery of tourism industries affected by the December 26 tsunami.

Kata Group President and Phuket Chamber of Commerce Chairman Pamuke Achariyachai said today, “The WTO has invited national and international organizations, tour operators, donors, and representatives from related industries, totaling more than 100 people.

“They will discuss ways to prevent and fix problems [created by tsunamis], such as an efficient warning system, and develop plans so that countries in this region can recover quickly.”

The Emergency Task Force will meet first on January 31 to discuss the needs of the areas affected by the tsunami and to propose a “Phuket Action Plan”, which is expected to be adopted by the WTO Executive Council on February 1.

K. Pamuke said that resolutions made at the meeting will be presented to the Thai government. “Although some hotels have closed and some of them looking for the capital for repairs, there are many, many hotels that are operating as usual. So the government must develop an effective policy for bringing tourists back,” he said.

“This will be great for Phuket and the other Andaman provinces. The conference will be broadcast around the world so people will be more confident about coming here.”