PHUKET – More government support is needed for Phuket Old Town as it prepares to submit a bid to designate it as a World Heritage Site in 2020.
Phuket Old Town tourism community’s president Don Limnunthaphisit said the city would “like to receive a rolling budget each year to support renovations”, as do Penang and Malacca, which are cities on the World Heritage List, Bangkok Post reported.
While the town receives some funding from the government, the community is responsible for most aspects of the renovation process.
All tourism-related agencies have to take full responsibility for the project of renovating Old Phuket Town, with a concrete plan to help the community continue with the practices, Mr Don said.
It is known as among Asia’s most picturesque towns for its Sino-Colonial architecture and its multicultural heritage. In 2015, the city was recognised as a UNESCO’s Creative City of Gastronomy.
Since end-2016, locals have begun to develop community-based tourism in order to meet standards of the Designated Areas for Sustainable Tourism Administration.
The city continues to draw a steady stream of tourists. In January to July this year, Phuket attracted 9.05 million visitors, representing a 0.5% increase during the same period last year, according to the Tourism and Sports Ministry.
Bhummikitti Ruktaengam, president of the Phuket Tourist Association, said the number of tourist arrivals will increase by 5-7% this year.
He expects that the number of Chinese tourists will “stay flat at three million this year”, while group travel will see a drop from 70% to 40%. The rest of the 60% will be made up of independent tourists who tend to visit and spend more on community than group tours.