The Cha-Am Municipality, the Department of Tourism, the National Institute of Development Administration, Phetchaburi Rajabhat University and six Tourism Associations  hosted training about preparation towards the ASEAN Economic Community for tourism entrepreneurs on 4th  September 2013.
With its opening ceremony chaired by the mayor of Cha-Am Mr. Nukul Pornsomboonsiri, this training was entitled, “Understanding and Preparing for AEC among Service Industry Owners”.
The training was carried out in response to the constant and progressive cooperation and development of all ASEAN members who signed an agreement to establish the ASEAN Community in 2015. This agreement aims to enhance competitiveness of all ASEAN countries.
As Cha-Am is a City highly capable of tourism advancement, capacity-building for businesspeople of the area is very important. Realizing that this issue is urgent the organisers cooperatively hosted the training in Cha-Am.
The main objective of the training was three fold.
- It enables tourism entrepreneurs, restaurateurs and souvenir shop owners in Cha-Am to understand better about the upcoming AC.
- It enhanced their knowledge about how to adapt the uniqueness of the country to accommodate the AEC.
- To develop English skills so that the participants become good and effectively communicative hosts for ASEAN visitors and businesspeople. Doing so will also create and strengthen networks with AEC.
The training was attended by 100 tourism business owners and included many academics and resource people including Dr. Chomyong Tohthong and Pornpimol Hochan from Phetchaburi Rajabhat University.
According to the Mayor of Cha-Am, Thai businesses involved in the service and hospitality industry are now playing a key role in national development as it provides 41.7% of the GDP. Thailand has strong points for this business thanks to its service minded, generous, well-organized and friendly people; however, its weakness is ineffective English communication skills of many people who work in this business. In addition to keeping updated on global changes, tourism entrepreneurs need to improve English language skills so that they are able to combine all strengths to compete with other ASEAN countries.
Finally, Mr. Nukul said that he hoped this training would be very for all participants who would like to strengthen their business for the upcoming AC in 2015.
