Koronadal City—True to its regional tourism banner “Bring the World to SOX”, South Cotabato will be welcoming Thai guests this October 20-24, 2019 for a possible partnership next year, an official from the Provincial Tourism Council of South Cotabato, Inc. (PTCSCI) confirmed.
Abigail Garcia, PTCSCI Secretary, said 10 school owners and teachers in Thailand will conduct an ocular inspection after a local tour agency based in South Cotabato entered into bidding to bring Thai students, who are willing to learn the English language, in an English Camp which will be established in the province.
“Thailand wanted to expand its English Camps in the Philippines. At present, they have in Cebu and Manila, and they signify to add another one in Mindanao,” Garcia said.
Trip Link, the three-time best tour agency in SOX, joined the bidding for this project.
“If we are going to pass the standards set by the program, we will have 300 Thai students to study here. This is an opportunity for business and tourism establishments,” Garcia explained.
Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) identified the provincial tourism council of South Cotabato as a new partner because of the active participation of the council in boosting the tourism industry of South Central Mindanao. PTCSCI is a three-time DOT best tourism council in region 12.
“Last January of this year, Thailand invited the team to visit the northern part of their country to exchange ideas about building stronger tourism circuits,” Garcia said.
Meanwhile, during their four-day visit Thailand will present the best of its country through a cultural presentation to depict the history of each region of its country including depictions of hell, the forest of Himmaphan, heavens, and lands beyond imagination from Thai literature. There is also a spectacular performance of Thailand’s arts and cultural heritage.
The cultural performance will be performed in Citi Mall on October 23, 2019. An exhibit of Thai arts and culture will be on display at the same venue. TAT also prepares on sale Thailand tours and packages.
“Thailand is so much like us in terms of natural resources and human resources. They are sweet and accommodating. Tourism is one of the major economic driving forces of their country,” Garcia emphasized.
As part of the experience, Thai visitors will have a one-day cultural immersion at Barangay Assumption, the home of the Blaan people in the City of Koronadal. The City Government of Koronadal will also host a cultural dinner at the City Hall Lobby to showcase Blaan arts and culture while the Provincial Government of South Cotabato also prepares a Governor’s Night featuring the Tboli culture.
Thailand topped the MasterCard Global Destinations Cities Index as the most visited city in the world in 2012, 2013, 2016, 2017 and 2018.
“This possible partnership will bring us learnings and economic opportunities,” Garcia added.
