Google and TAT team up for eTourism Day

BANGKOK, Thailand – Chiang Rai will play host to eTourism Day, a technology showcase joint initiative by the Mekong Tourism Coordinating Office, the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT), and Google to help local tourism stakeholders leverage technology to build their businesses, and the “Chiang Rai: Gateway to the Mekong” brand.
Sitting at the crossroads of the Greater Mekong Sub-region (GMS), Chiang Rai is uniquely positioned to benefit from growing economic opportunities through increased tourism and the launch of the ASEAN Economic Community in 2015.

ETourism Day sessions will be held in both Thai and English, and lead by experts from TAT and Google Thailand, along with Dragon Trail, which has previously run GMS social media “boot camps” in Cambodia, Laos, and Myanmar.

Thapanee Kiatphaibool, Director, Marketing Information Technology Group, Tourism Authority of Thailand, will lead a session on “Building the Chiang Rai brand via Social Media and Digital Marketing. We are very keen to support this initiative,” said Ms. Kiatphaibool, “and to help enable local travel and tourism professionals make use of emerging technologies to bolster their businesses.”

Ariya Banomyong, Country Head of Google Thailand, will lead a session on Google solutions for businesses. According to Mr. Banomyong, “Globally, 6 out of 10 travelers use search engines as their number one source for travel information, so helping businesses in Chiang Rai go online and connect with potential customers is only a click away. We’re delighted to continue our partnership with the Tourism Authority of Thailand, and through eTourism Day provide practical tools that can contribute to the economic growth of the tourism industry and local Thai businesses in this community who will benefit directly from increased visitors and international visibility.”

International Council of Tourism Partners (ICTP) Presdient Geoffrey Lipman will be attending eTourism Day.

ETourism Day will take place at the Le Meridien Resort Chiang Rai on June 12, one day prior to the Mekong Tourism Forum 2012, which brings together leaders from across the GMS to assess the challenges and opportunities for this vibrant sub-region to continue to move forward and realize its potential. For more information about the Mekong Tourism Forum 2012 at the Dusit Island Resort Chiang Rai on June 13-14, or to register, visit www.mekongtourismforum.org .

Participation in eTourism Day is free of charge, but seats are limited and will be confirmed on a first come, first served registration basis. Morning sessions will be conducted in Thai, with mirror afternoon sessions in English; lunch will be served for all registered participants. To reserve your place or for more information about these sessions, please email: [email protected] .