Bangkok (Thailand) – November 8, 2019 (travelindex.com) – The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT), together with the Expedia Group and the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), is launching a global sustainable tourism initiative, the UNESCO Sustainable Tourism Pledge (the “Pledge”), to reduce the use of single-use plastics while promoting local cultural and community activities in Thailand.

The initiative renews an existing memorandum of understanding between the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) and Expedia, launched in September 2018. Both parties worked closely together to attract international tourists to emerging destinations such as Chiang Rai and Mae Hong Son. This resulted in a 25 percent year-on-year increase in demand for accommodation in Chiang Rai, particularly from international travelers who preferred four- and five-star hotels and spent 1.5 times more than Thai domestic tourists.

Mr. Chattan Kunjara Na Ayudhya, Deputy Governor of the TAT for International Marketing – Asia and South Pacific, stated: “This strategic tripartite agreement comes at the right time as the TAT focuses on strengthening confidence in the Thai tourism brand by promoting responsible tourism. It ensures that the Thai tourism sector maintains its strong economic growth, as the TAT prioritizes environmental sustainability and cultural diversity, thus positioning Thailand as a sustainable destination in line with its vision.”

The agreement also places sustainability at the heart of all TAT activities as the agency prepares for its 60th anniversary in 2020.