TAT supports ‘Thailand 4.0’ policy with new contest for start-up tourism businesses

Mr. Pariwat Wongsamran, Mr. Woramit Krutto, ,

Mr. Yuthasak Supasorn, Mr. Rawee Ounpat, 

and Mr. Noppon Anukunwithaya

The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) is inviting start-up tourism business operators, the general public and students to submit their business models for a chance to win prizes worth over 1.5 million Baht including a participation to showcase their award-winning masterpieces at the World Travel Market (WTM) 2018 in London.

Mr. Yuthasak Supasorn, TAT Governor, said “The ‘TAT Start Up’ contest forms part of the TAT’s overall strategy designed to serve the purpose of boosting tourism revenue, spreading benefits of tourism across local communities nationwide and promoting new ideas in line with the development agenda of Thailand 4.0 that maintains a balance between the economy, society and the environment.

“With the ‘TAT Start Up’ contest, TAT aims to foster business innovations and the creation of innovative business models for tourism offerings in Thailand. And taking the award-winning teams to showcase their works at the WTM 2018 reiterates TAT’s commitment to support start-ups, to help enhance their presences on the international stage.”

The contest consists of two categories: start-ups and existing businesses wanting to expand. Entrants can be for one person or for a group of up to three persons or for a registered business.

Submissions must address the contest’s concept, which is to promote the creativity to forge new strategies and increase business opportunities, using innovative ideas and technologies to enhance and develop the competitiveness of Thailand’s tourism and local communities on a regional and global stage.

Submission for the ‘TAT Start Up’ contest is open from 25 June to 31 July, 2018, and can be submitted via www.tourismthailand.org/startup or by post to the Tourism Authority of Thailand (Head Office), 9th Floor, 1600 New Phetchaburi Road, Makkasan, Ratchathevi, Bangkok 10400.

Preliminary selection process is scheduled on 9 August, with announcement scheduled on 15 August. The final selection will take place on 23 August with the announcement of the winners scheduled on 3 September. The awards’ presentation and a focus group seminar to experience the award-winning models will be held on 19 September.

The contest offers a prize worth over 1.5 million Baht comprising 300,000 Baht for the winners in each category, 200,000 Baht for the first runners-up and 100,000 Baht for the second runners-up. All winning teams will receive an award plaque plus the right for two representatives of each team to join TAT to promote their award-winning businesses at the World Travel Market (WTM) 2018, from 5-7 November, in London, UK.

For more information on the ‘TAT Start Up’ contest, visit:
www.tourismthailand.org/startup (in Thai only).