The 1st Summer Camp for Cultural Tourism: Learning and Sharing Experiences in Thailand through Creative Tourism

Rationales With a relentless pursuit of excellence as a world class university, National Institute of Development Administration (NIDA) has rendered every effort to foster vision, mission, and commitment towards internationalization with professionalism and proactive strategies in order to become an internationally recognized institute. Along these lines, various strategic plans and activities have been implemented underlying the world class philosophy. Therefore, A Summer Camp is deemed significant to internationalization progress on one hand. On the other hand, this activity enhances readiness for joining ASEAN Community pathway and the goal of internationalization. The objective of the activity is to expand regional academic partnership and collaborative network, while enabling foreign Bachelor and Master Degree students from member countries of ASEAN Economic Community including participants from prospective members to gain extensive learning experiences based on Creative Tourism. This opportunity will be a guiding principle in an effort to boost harmonious relationship and international collaboration in terms of academic exchange, student/staff mobility, academic and research collaborations, including educational network and its unity throughout the Asia region and global

collaboration. Not only does the activity perform in line with an official policy of the Office of Higher Education Commission, but it also promotes NIDA towards regional and international community. Creative Tourism refers to an exclusive, authentic-based tourist activity providing comprehensive learning experience derived from intimate interaction with local community. This trend of tourism emphasizes on distinctive principles: enlarged benefits, value-added activities, exceptional experience, creative approach, and community sharing. Hence, the new way of tourism promotes genuine life-long learning experience stressed on environmental conservation, local awareness and sustainable way of life with social contribution towards short-term and long-term advantages. For this reason, Office of International Affairs (OIA) at NIDA has initiated the summer camp project featured on the topic of Learning Experiences in Thailand through Creative Tourism. The purposes of this activity are twofold: to promote gorgeous tourist attractions in Thailand throughout the Asia and global regions as well as to launch innovative graduate programs proposed by NIDA Centre for Integrated Tourism Management Studies (NITs). From this view, Graduate Program in Integrated Tourism Management, one of NIDA distinctive graduate programs available in Thailand and ASEAN regions, has been offered to interested parties via policy-based teaching and learning approach and a unique interdisciplinary curriculum.

The Objectives of the Activity 1. To support and foster NIDA towards being a world class university. 2. To enhance international relations with the ASEAN and international community specifically focused on academic and educational collaboration. 3. To promote Thailands tourism industry including Graduate Program in Integrated Tourism Management as perceived by ASEAN community and international network of collaboration. Expected Benefits and Outcomes 1. A fruitful, harmonious relationship with member nations of ASEAN Economic Community and other countries worldwide. 2. A robust network of collaboration in terms of academic and cultural exchanges with ASEAN and global communities. 3. Creating a positive image to boost tourism industry after a disastrous flooding in Thailand. 4. Introducing NIDA and Graduate Program in Integrated Tourism Management towards global community. Target Participants There are 25-30 participants comprising Bachelors and Masters degree students from the ASEAN member universities including students from other prospective member countries. Project Timeline

The Summer Camp project will be held for 10 days in 17 26 June, 2012.