Say no to low-cost shopping tours！ The Tourism Authority of Thailand’s “Quality Itinerary Certification” raises travel standards

▲ Thailand is a top travel destination in Asia. The photo shows Bangkok’s six-star luxury department store – Central Embassy. (Photo / Reporter Chen Ziyin)

Reporter Chen Ziyin / Taipei Reporting

Thailand’s natural beauty, pristine island beaches, renowned Buddhist sites, and cultural landmarks have always been popular choices for travelers worldwide. However, fierce competition among travel agencies has led to the emergence of low-quality, so-called “low-cost tours,” which use coercive tactics to push tourists into shopping stops or pay-for activities—resulting in frequent disputes. To address this, the Tourism Authority of Thailand continues to roll out the “Quality Itinerary Certification System” to help improve the overall quality of travel in Thailand.

Huang Liping, specialist at the Tourism Authority of Thailand Taipei Office, said the certification system requires travel agencies to apply to the Tourism Authority of Thailand, which then conducts the review. Assessments are based on four criteria:

1. Itinerary Pricing— evaluating whether the price is reasonable and meets standards based on itinerary content

2. Accommodation Quality— assessing the standard of hotels arranged for travelers by the agency

3. Transportation— evaluating the suitability of all transportation arranged within the itinerary

4. Shopping Stops— a crucial factor, as too many mandatory shopping stops will disqualify an itinerary from receiving the Tourism Authority of Thailand’s certification mark.

Once approved by the review panel, agencies can use the Tourism Authority of Thailand’s Quality Assurance Recommended Seal. The seal is valid for one year, after which reapplication is required.

According to Tourism Authority of Thailand statistics, 58 itineraries received the certification mark in 2014. The application period for the Thailand Quality Itinerary Certification in 2015 was from October 15 to November 15, 2014. The Tourism Authority of Thailand further stated that it hopes the Quality Itinerary Certification will gain public recognition, become a trusted reference for consumers selecting Thailand travel itineraries, and provide greater protection of consumer travel rights.