Pattaya officials talk green to draw in tourists

Pattaya officials talk green to draw in tourists

An ambitious 10-year plan to make the seaside resort a world class "greenovative tourism city" has been launched by local authorities at a cost of 646.7 million baht.

The money, now being sought from the central government, will fund 34 projects under a development master plan, Mayor Ittipol Khunploem said yesterday.

Mr Ittipol said the projects will come under a scheme called "Designated Areas for Sustainable Tourism Administration [Dasta]" and will cover other local adminstrations.

Of the 34 projects, 13 worth 253.7 million baht will cover Pattaya city with the remainder costing 393 million baht involving development projects in nearby areas.

Mr Ittipol said the plan, which runs from 2012 to 2022, envisages Pattaya as a world class "greenovative tourism city".

Last year the cabinet agreed to set aside 15 billion baht to help with the city's plans which seek to improve public transport services and utilities, develop new tourism destinations and amend laws relating to zoning of entertainment venues.

Dasta director Nalikatibhag Sangsnit said the thinking behind the plan is to ensure the city can cope with tourism growth in the next 10 years.

Projections for Pattaya envisage the number of foreign and Thai tourists doubling in the next decade, while tourism revenue is estimated to rise from 68 billion baht to 300 billion baht a year.

Col Nalikatibhag said the cabinet had resolved to turn Pattaya city into a special zone for sustainable tourism.

The plan covers 928.47 square kilometres of Pattaya city and eight other areas: the municipalities of Nong Prue, Bang Lamung, Takhian Tia, Pong, Huay Yai and Na Jom Thian, plus tambon Nong Pla Lai and tambon Khao Mai Kaew.

~News courtesy of Bangkok Post~