Charoen Wangananont has been elected the new president of the Association of Thai Travel Agents (ATTA).
Charoen is ATTA’s current honorary secretary-general and beat out challenger Vichit Prakobkoson by securing 409 votes to 281 votes.
Charoen, 53, plans to focus immediately on current international concerns about Thailand’s air safety standards and a restructuring of ATTA.
ATTA officials will meet with tourism and sports minister Kobkarn Wattanavrangkul today to discuss air safety issues which could severely impact inbound tourism.
Charoen will also look to improve prospects in European markets.
"We will work hard to improve significantly the big decline from the two big tourist markets of France and Russia this year," Charoen said.
A former tour guide himself, Charoen previously served two terms as president of the Thai Travel Agents Association.
