Bangkok (Thailand) – December 22, 2015 (travelindex) – Phuket, known for its beautiful beach resorts, has now earned another accolade – inclusion in the UNESCO list of Creative Cities for its gastronomic delights.

Thailand's second most important tourist destination after Bangkok, the island in the Andaman Sea, was one of 47 cities from 33 countries to be inducted as new members into the UNESCO Creative Cities Network. They were categorized into seven creative fields (crafts and folk art, design, film, gastronomy, literature, media arts, and music).

Phuket, Thailand's largest island and often called the "Pearl of the Andaman Sea," is world-renowned for its beaches, diving opportunities, water sports, and other marine activities. In recent years, the range of spectacular products and services, particularly spas, wellness resorts, attractions, and boutique hotels, has expanded significantly.

Excellent air connections now allow for direct flights from many parts of Asia. One of the fastest-growing market segments is weekend trips by visitors from neighboring countries such as Singapore, Indonesia, Malaysia, and India.

In 2014, Phuket recorded a total of 11,958,603 visitor arrivals (3,499,187 Thais, 8,459,416 foreigners), generating estimated tourism revenue of 259.290 billion baht.

Mr. Yuthasak Supasorn, Governor of the Tourism Authority of Thailand, said: “Phuket is no longer just a beach resort. It has developed into a complete holiday destination with a wide range of cultural attractions and conference facilities. Recognition by the United Nations’ most important cultural organization for its culinary creativity is an additional plus.”

He added: “Phuket is already world-famous for its seafood. And promoting Thai cuisine is one of the TAT’s top priorities, as it is an essential part of the travel and tourism experience.”

Founded in 2004 and now comprising 116 member cities, the UNESCO Creative Cities Network aims to promote international cooperation with and between cities committed to investing in creativity as a driver of sustainable urban development, social inclusion and cultural vibrancy.

UNESCO Director-General Irina Bokova stated: “The UNESCO Creative Cities Network holds immense potential to strengthen the role of culture as an engine of sustainable development. I would like to acknowledge the many new cities and their countries that are enriching the network with their diversity.”

In 2015, UNESCO commemorated the 10th anniversary of the Convention on the Protection and Promotion of the Diversity of Cultural Expressions.

The 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, adopted by the international community in September 2015, highlights culture and creativity as key drivers for sustainable urban development. The network will continue to serve as an essential platform for contributing to the implementation and achievement of this international agenda.

The current list of UNESCO Creative Cities can be found here:

International Public Relations Department, Tourism Authority of Thailand, 1600 New Petchaburi Road, Makkasan, Ratchathevi, Bangkok 10400, Thailand, Tel.: +66 (0) 2250 5500 ext. 4545-48, Fax: +66 (0) 2253 7419, E-mail: [email protected]

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