{"id":21190,"date":"2021-04-20T23:48:11","date_gmt":"2021-04-20T16:48:11","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.thestorythailand.com\/?p=21190"},"modified":"2021-05-01T22:15:47","modified_gmt":"2021-05-01T15:15:47","slug":"government-agency-plans-army-of-ants-to-restart-tourism","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.thestorythailand.com\/en\/government-agency-plans-army-of-ants-to-restart-tourism\/","title":{"rendered":"Government agency plans \u2018Army of Ants\u2019 to restart tourism"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p><strong>Digital-economy organization\u2019s different approach to paving the way for economic recovery<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The Digital Economy Promotion Agency (DEPA) believes that a new approach is needed to attract tourists to Thailand as the country recovers from the COVID-19 crisis. Among other things, it is proposing a swarm of small and easily accessible internet platforms that it likens to an \u201carmy of ants\u201d, to tell stories about small attractions, events and drawcards.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\"><li><a rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\/\/www.thestorythailand.com\/en\/14\/04\/2021\/20620\/\" target=\"_blank\">The COVID Tracker that has opened new doors in disease prevention and control<\/a><\/li><li><a rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\/\/www.thestorythailand.com\/en\/14\/04\/2021\/20684\/\" target=\"_blank\">Facebook continues helping business and driving the country\u2019s economy.<\/a><\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>The agency, formed by the government in 2017 to promote the adoption of digital technology as a spur to economic growth, admits that it cannot offer direct help to tourism operators because of budget restraints, and it cannot suddenly bolster the stricken tourism industry. Instead, it is focused on preparing the industry \u201cfor what will come next\u201d, in the belief that, with good preparation, the confidence of tourists will grow and, by then, Thailand\u2019s tourism industry will be ready with an impressive welcome.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>DEPA\u2019s President, Dr. Nuttapon Nimmanphatcharin,says that in his opinion, Thailand\u2019s economy was stagnant before the pandemic struck. Exports were slow because of slackening global demand and the agricultural sector had not added much value to the country\u2019s gross domestic product. Tourism was good, but then came COVID-19 and it is now staggering badly. Thailand\u2019s revenue has plunged, and the government faces the big expense of \u201cshelling out money\u201d to support the people.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">New style, content-driven tourism<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Dr. Nuttapon believes tourism will change in the post-COVID period. He expects tourists to do more research ahead of their trips, searching for information and making solid preparations before setting out for their destinations. First and foremost, they will want to be assured that their health is safe, and second, they will want to save money. Believing in this new tourism trend, DEPA has explored the creation of \u201cstories\u201d and presenting content on an internet platform that can put target areas on the tourism map. If the stories catch the attention of people, demand for tourism will grow, along with tourist spending.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cI don\u2019t think tourists will walk around while studying a map in their hands anymore,\u201d Dr. Nuttapon says. \u201cTourists who are not in the high-end group will be trying to save money. They will study related information in advance.\u201d&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>DEPA is now looking for startups that will help with development of content. It is also searching for tourism operators who understand what the agency is trying to do and share belief in the same concept of tourism revival. Content developers and tourism operators can then work together to develop a Thai-food platform.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cIn our plans, a tourism platform will include food content. There will be information on restaurants and authentic Thai food. Along the way to attractions, there is street food to enjoy. Some of these food shops may even have a Michelin Star or more. Stories on the platform will show to the world that when people visit Thailand, they do not just stay overnight at a hotel. They will come to indulge in Thai experiences that are created by stories on the platform, and spend their money. We are spurring both tourists\u2019 demand and spending as we wait for Thai tourism to rebound,\u201d Dr. Nuttapon explains.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>He says the development of content requires content creators and storytellers who are capable of turning existing information into interesting stories. Storytellers are different from tour guides in that they focus on telling a story that celebrates Thai tourist places, Thai arts and Thai culture.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Focus on niche markets, without competing against big operators<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Dr Nuttapon points out that tourism is a \u201cmoney game\u201d. Competition is rife as investors pour in money to pursue benefits. In this situation, it is unrealistic to drive small operators against \u201cthe giants\u201d. DEPA has therefore designed its platform for niche markets, hoping that small operators will be able to stay in business. They may even forge partnerships with big operators, all of whom have their own markets.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>This approach aims at offering alternatives to tourists. Some may want to stay at luxury hotels and indulge in premium services. However, others may prefer local accommodation and immersion in the uniqueness of local cultures that are not available anywhere else. This approach also offers the choice of staying at upscale hotels, but taking tours in which they can explore local ways of life.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cWe are going to develop a Thai platform,\u201d Dr. Nuttapon says. \u201cIn pursuit of this vision, we are looking for partners. We are ready to support our partners, and together, we will be able to achieve something. If you have money, but lack technologies, we will match you with startups that can provide you with tech solutions.\u201d&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>DEPA expects the platform to be launched before July. As an initiative for Thai tourism, it will be developed by Thais with Thai investment, and will pave the way for local businesses to thrive in the tourism sector. It will give tourists new alternatives \u2013 things people have never seen before. These alternatives will cover culture, attractions, arts and foods.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cI am not sure that I can call the offers on the platform \u2018unseen\u2019. But they are what locals say that visitors to their hometown should never miss, and if tourists do miss these things, their trips will not be complete,\u201d he says.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>DEPA\u2019s tourism platform will also fill missing links and connect small operators with existing large platforms. Organizations or people that join the platform development as partners need not come from the digital industry. They may \u201cjump in\u201d to drive changes that promise to support their businesses, which may come, for example, from the property or hotel industries.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cI think these steps will diversify the tourism business by using a new business model in the post-COVID-19 era,\u201d Dr. Nuttapon says. \u201cDEPA has stepped in to support small operators, plugging them in and connecting them.\u201d&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">\u201cArmy of Ants\u201d to boost confidence<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>In addition to developing a single platform for tourism at a time when the industry looks set to rebound with the arrival of COVID-19 vaccines, DEPA has also been trying to promote a tourism-driven economy in other ways. Its goal is to ensure that tourism rides back in style and with security, as it becomes a driving force behind the country\u2019s GDP growth.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cTo boost confidence in tourism, we have made use of various technologies. For example, Phuket\u2019s self-quarantine on yachts used a tech solution from NB-IoT, a startup that developed a wristband for self-quarantining foreigners. AIS was a partner in this scheme. While NB-IoT provided an Internet of Things solution, AIS offered the communications technology,\u201d Dr. Nuttapon says.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Such a move, he says, creates new opportunities in various dimensions. It will support DEPA\u2019s tourism platform, which will be launched as confidence rises in Thailand\u2019s ability to prevent imported COVID-19 cases.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>DEPA also intends to develop what Dr. Nuttapon calls \u201can army of ants\u201d, and when this \u201carmy\u201d shows itself to the world, confidence in Thai tourism will soar. When the world is ready to travel again, Thailand\u2019s international arrivals will fast return to normal.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Plans include not only one major platform, but also various small platforms to comprehensively support tourism. These platforms will offer much more than tourism information or public-health data. In the pipeline now are plans to develop car-sharing and local transportation platforms.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>In Dr. Nuttapon\u2019s view, these are not stimulus measures. Rather, DEPA is making preparations to meet a long-suppressed demand for tourism. Both Thais and foreigners are now dying to once again explore tourist attractions. If Thailand presents exciting content about what is waiting for them, along with healthcare information, there is a good chance that Thailand will rank among the most popular destinations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cWe are not going to ask for a budget to stimulate tourism. Our focus is on back-office operations. We think about how Thais are going to prepare themselves and their services. Imagine what will happen if the tourism-stimulus measures suddenly bring in lots of tourists. Where will new-wave operators stand? Can they compete against big platforms? DEPA thinks about these operators. That\u2019s why we are doing this,\u201d Dr. Nuttapon explains.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>He adds that Thailand\u2019s financial resources are dwindling and finding funding is difficult. The voice of DEPA, a relatively small government agency, may not be loud enough, so the agency believes that developing its \u201cArmy of Ants\u201d will make a difference. As the army grows strong, with small but easily accessible platforms, a sustainable ecosystem will be ready for the new era. Small operators, such as the owners of small restaurants, will be able to connect to these platforms and to storytellers. With such an ecosystem, Thais can support one another.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cWe should develop such a supportive ecosystem in order to strengthen the country\u2019s tourism industry, which should shine alongside Thailand\u2019s strong public-health sector. If our platforms keep plugging in, our Army of Ants may one day turn into an Army of Queen Ants,\u201d Dr. Nuttapon adds.&nbsp;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Digital-economy organization\u2019s different approach to paving the way for economic recovery<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":22748,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[118,119,122],"tags":[1077,4239,5920],"class_list":["post-21190","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-the-story-special","category-interview-en","category-technology-en","tag-depa","tag-thai-startup","tag-tourism"],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v27.6 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>Government agency plans \u2018Army of Ants\u2019 to restart tourism - The Story Thailand<\/title>\n<meta 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