Under the theme of “Open. Connect. Balance.”
BANGKOK – The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) is pleased to join together with the Royal Thai Government and the Thai people as Thailand has assumed the role of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) 2022 host country.
H.E. General Prayut Chan-o-cha, Prime Minister of Thailand, attended the remote handover of the APEC chairmanship from Mrs. Jacinda Ardern, Prime Minister of New Zealand, host of APEC 2021 on Friday, 12 November, 2021.
Thailand is hosting the APEC 2022 under the theme “Open. Connect. Balance.”, which will see the country pushing forward three key priorities to develop the Asia-Pacific region through the concept of the Bio-Circular-Green or BCG economy model. These include facilitating trade and investment, promoting balance, sustainability and inclusivity, and restoring regional connectivity, particularly in the travel and tourism industry as the world exits the COVID-19 era.
The hosting of the APEC 2022 will also mark the first platform for the world’s leaders gathering after the global pandemic has subsided.
Throughout Thailand’s host year, there will be hundreds of APEC meetings taking place in various destinations around the country, including the APEC Tourism Ministerial Meeting, which will provide Thailand with great opportunities to showcase tourism products and services to the world.
Mr. Yuthasak Supasorn, TAT Governor, said, “TAT recently introduced our new marketing campaign, the Visit Thailand Year 2022, to promote the kingdom’s strengths in biological diversity and cultural richness under the “Amazing New Chapters” concept. So, this is indeed a splendid occasion to welcome the APEC leaders and delegates to Thailand in 2022.
“We believe the APEC delegates will be pleased to experience the pristine nature, glorious cultural heritage, and savoury delicacies with exceptional Thai hospitality that have impressed visitors around the world.”
Thailand has gradually reopened the country and eased travel restrictions to welcome travellers from around the world. From 1 November, 2021, fully vaccinated visitors from 63 countries and territories are welcome to enter Thailand under the Exemption from Quarantine (TEST & GO) entry scheme while those travellers from other countries can enter under the Living in the “Blue Zone” (17 Sandbox destinations) programme. Partially or unvaccinated visitors are also much welcomed via the Happy Quarantine requirements.
Mr. Yuthasak added, “With the list of approved countries to be expanded to cover the entire world from 1 January, 2022, the APEC 2022 will be one of the international events to officially promote Thailand’s readiness as the world’s top destination and significantly boost and revive the tourism industry post pandemic.”
The APEC 2022 Logo – a work created by Mr. Chawanon Wongtrakuljong – is inspired by a “Chalom”, a Thai bamboo basket used to carry items to travel that has been used from generation to generation. By using bamboo strands interlaced tightly together, it reflects cooperation among the APEC economies.
APEC is the regional cooperation to drive trade and investment as well as the development of economic and social dimensions among 21 member economies, including Australia, China, Japan, Russia, and the United States which have an aggregated population of 3 billion people and accounts for 59% of the global GDP.
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