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Baht/$ 35.02/05 (Bid/Ask)
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GOLD |
12,300
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TOURISM
CHADAMAS CHINMANEEVONG
Easier online travel planning and booking is the goal of the new Open Travel Alliance (OTA) system being introduced to serve tourists to Thailand. The venture is being undertaken by the Software Industry Promotion Agency (Sipa) and the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) to help the growing number of visitors who increasingly plan trips and reserve accommodations on the internet.
Moreover, Sipa will add all kinds of transport reservations, insurance, golf packages and luxury cruise services to make the system universal.
Integration will depend on the participation of related operators and Sipa is welcoming free-of-charge membership. Operators will only need OTA-compatible software, on which Sipa can advise them.
''We believe the OTA system will help both Thai and foreign tourists access comprehensive tourism information. It's a one-stop service location, where tourists can complete their trip preparations,'' said Phanom Kaributra, executive director for information technology with the TAT.
Mr Phanom said the TAT was supporting the development of OTA as a tool to increase the competitiveness of Thai operators.
Sipa will supervise the system during the first few years of operation. Afterwards, it will find a neutral body to take over the duty. There will be an operational fee.
Sipa has invested three million baht to install the OTA system and has held training sessions in Chiang Mai and Phuket, with one planned in Bangkok in the near future.So far, 110 travel companies from Chiang Mai and 130 from Phuket have subscribed to OTA. Sipa is confident that 200 to 300 more operators will join the system next year.
Suwimol Taewasillachaikul, the Sipa vice-president, said that given the universal use of the internet, OTA was an effective marketing tool that could improve the quality of Thailand's tourism industry.
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