Thailand continues to be at the forefront of the world’s top travel destinations. The country is also keen for tourists to come and experience a variety of natural and cultural attractions.

This year, Thailand and its capital, Bangkok, have been named among the best travel destinations by leading business and travel magazines in many countries. For instance, Travel & Leisure awarded Bangkok the World’s Best City, based on the survey of its readers who ranked cities in terms of sights, culture and arts, restaurants and food, people, shopping, and value.

Fagbladet Travel News, a Norwegian travel trade magazine, also selected Thailand for its “World’s Best Tourist Country” award for 2008. This is the fifth consecutive year that Thailand has won this prestigious Norwegian Grand Travel Award. Likewise, Thailand was voted by more than 450 Swedish travel agents as the “World’s Best Tourist Country,” earning the Swedish Grand Travel Award for the sixth consecutive year.

Meanwhile, Today’s Traveller, India’s leading business and leisure travel magazine, awarded Thailand the Platinum Award for “The Best International Family Holiday Destination of 2008.”

Foreign tourists in Thailand maintain highly favorable views of the country and their experiences, even while news reports talk about the current political demonstration in Bangkok. The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) recently interviewed foreign tourists at various popular tourist sites around Bangkok. All of them responded positively, saying that the political situation had not affected their visit to Thailand.

TAT has also geared up campaigns and activities to promote tourism in the remaining months of 2008 and in 2009. In October, it will host a “Thailand Invitation” mega familiarization trip for over 800 media representatives and travel operators from around the world to experience tourism products and services in the country. TAT also plans to organize eight international “Amazing Thailand” road shows from September to November 2008, starting with China, Vietnam, Sweden, and Denmark.

Minister of Tourism and Sports Weerasak Kowsurat, in his statement, stressed that Thailand remained – as always – completely safe for tourists and foreigners visiting the country. He said that Thailand enjoyed a very positive image worldwide and that Thai authorities took safety for tourists very seriously.

In order to promote the country’s tourism industry and to invite travelers from around the world to visit Thailand, TAT has carried out the Friends of Thailand Project. Each year, many international friends whose invaluable contributions have helped promote Thai tourism and create a good image of Thailand will receive the Friends of Thailand awards to recognize their contributions. This year, a total of 79 awards will be presented to recipients from 34 countries worldwide.