During 17 – 21 July 2023, Royal Thai Embassy in New Delhi organised the Second Edition of the ‘Exchange of Emerging and Young Entrepreneurs of Northeast India Program’, by bringing 5 Young Entrepreneurs and 6 representatives, jointly selected be the Emabssy and the Asian Confluence, think-tank based in Shillong, Meghalaya, from the Public sector from all over Northeast of India to Thailand. The theme of this year program is to share the success story of tourism management industries in Thailand which has not only represented the best subject-area in which Thailand could provide expertise and best practices to our partner countries, but also aligns with what the Northeastern region needs to develop their own.

The Emerging and Young Entrepreneurs of Northeast India Program is an initiative of the Royal Thai Embassy, with aim to create network of Young Entrepreneurs between Thailand and India which will in turn enable the business environment conducive to exchange of ideas and business connections, ultimately resulting in new business collaborations and investment between the two sides.

During the program, the delegation has had the opportunities to visit leading sites that showcase the best practices with relations to the theme tourism management, categorised into 3 main topics (1) Public sector-led tourism management (2) Private sector-led tourism management (3) Public-private partnership on tourism management.

Regarding the public-led tourism management, the delegation had the chance to visit significant sites such as the Grand Palace, Wat Phra Chetuphon (Wat Pho), and the Royal Thai Navy base in Sattahip. These locations impressed the delegation as they are sites of historical and national security importance that has been partially converted for tourism purposes, becoming on their own virtue tourist attractions of global significance and showcasing the effective management of tourism areas by the public sector of Thailand which, in turn, contributed to the growth of national economy.

As for the private-sector led tourism management, the delegation visited the Royal Garden Plaza and Ripley's Believe It or Not in Pattaya, as well as the Pattaya Floating Market. These visits highlighted the advancement of Thailand's expertise in tourism management, catering to diverse customer groups. The Royal Garden Plaza is a significant shopping destination for Indian tourists in Pattaya, as it offers products and prices brackets that suit the preferences of Indian travelers. Ripley's Believe It or Not caters to family-oriented tourism, appealing to Indian and Middle Eastern tourists. The Floating Market showcased Thailand's private sector ingenuity in creating high-value tourist attractions from unused land, benefiting the economy of the province and the country. Additionally, it supported sustainable development, generating livelihoods for over 700 households, and implementing proper waste management and recycling practices.

In the collaboration between government and private entities, the delegation had the opportunity to visit the community-based tourism in Takhian Tia sub-district, Chonburi province. Here, they learned about Thailand's expertise in empowering communities and promoting sustainable tourism. The government provided financial support and capacity-building initiatives to ensure sustainable tourism management, and the benefits of tourism were equally shared with the local communities. Apart from Takhian Tia, the delegation attended presentations summarizing tourism management policies from the Ministry of Tourism and Sports, receiving information on laws, regulations, and Thai tourism management practices from both government officials and private sector leaders. Also there were engagement session held with the Director of Tourism Authority of Thailand, Pattaya Office, which provided the delegation with valuable insights into Thailand's tourism management practices, showcasing the country's ability to create diverse tourist attractions catering to different customer segments. This collaboration between the government and private sector thus played a crucial role in the success of Thailand's tourism industry.

In addition to the aforementioned schedule, the delegation also participated in activities related to networking with Thailand's tourism sector. These activities included:

1. Networking with YEN-D Group: The delegation had the opportunity to network with the YEN-D Group, which comprises new-generation entrepreneurs with the most extensive network in all of Thailand. Specifically, the group selected representatives from the tourism sector to engage in discussions.

2. Lecture and Discussion with Mr. Wuthichai Luangamornlert, Managing Director of Siam Park City Co., Ltd., and a Board Member of the Thai Chamber of Commerce: The delegation attended a brief lecture and had a discussion with Mr. Wutthichai, which centered around valuable insights into promoting tourism which can be applied back in their respective states.

3. Participation in the Pattaya Travel Mart 2023: The delegation also attended the Pattaya Travel Mart 2023, the largest Buyer-Seller Meet in the Eastern region of Thailand. This event provided a significant opportunity for the delegation to promote their own State's tourism and participate in business discussions with tourism service providers and buyers.

During the entire visit to Thailand, the delegation has expressed admiration for Thailand's tourism industry, especially in the manner with which it is excellently managed, enabling Thai tourist destinations to gain global recognition, particularly during the post-COVID-19 situation. Also of note by the delegation was how sustainable tourism policies have been implemented, contributing to the success of the Thai tourism sector in the post-COVID-19 era. Most important of all, the delegation praised the strong collaboration between the Thai government and private sector in promoting tourism, with a focus on national benefits and the well-being of the people, a valuable lesson that the delegation hopes to bring back and apply in the context of India in the future.