There is no denying the importance of the fact that tourism plays an important role in bolstering development and GDP growth in the Asia-Pacific region. Such countries as Thailand and Malaysia are notable examples of tourism phenomena when tourism money and resource flows significantly improved their economic and political positions vis-à-vis other countries in the region and in the world.
Tourism advertising plays an important role in forming a positive image of a given country through the representation of its cultural and historical peculiarities. Using symbols, certain image representations and approaches, tourism may be promoted in the countries of the Asia-Pacific region.
As Sheyvens notes, tourism may be extremely important for promoting human empowerment in third world countries. That is why advertising campaigns should be realised in a proper way to improve the positive vision of society and show the role of tourism in rising global consciousness about its problems.
In what follows, two tourism sites promoting a positive image of a certain place or geographical territory will be analysed, drawing specific attention to similarities and differences in the representation of cultural and historical traditions, different sites, exoticism, women, etc.
The first website analysed is TourismThailand.org which is colourfully designed and has many segments of information, subcategories and pictures presenting Thai tourist places and sites. The website contains general information about Thailand, its geographical location, history, customs, traditions and culture. The same is true of other tourism websites and particularly the website which drew our specific attention – Malaysia Travel Guide.
There is no denying the importance of the fact that TourismThailand.org also contains helpful information on tours and tourism locations, Thai transport, cultural sites, weather conditions, travel march routes etc. It also offers contact information of hotels, restaurants, national authorities, Embassies and other places, which may prove to be important for foreigners touring in Thailand.
Unlike the Thailand Tourism website, the Malaysia tourism site offers a comprehensive list of activities that may be exercised in Malaysia as well as a virtual and interactive map of the country which is helpful for site visitors in determining the geographical location and climate conditions of the territory. It should be noted that the Malaysia travel guide also contains important public and activist information on organisations and initiatives protecting Malaysian flora and fauna, stimulating human development, protecting women and children rights.
There is no denying the importance of the fact that this information is very useful for promoting positive attitudes of site-visitors to Malaysia and stimulating their desire to visit this country.
As it was noted above, both sites contain intriguing pictures and photos portraying countries’ best tourist places, cultural sites and indigenous people. The represented beaches, national architecture, beautiful women and men create the feeling of exotic paradise that beacons with its wonderful beauty.
However, it should be noted that this marketing strategy often neglects social and economic problems which exist in these countries and the real life of its inhabitants, which significantly differs from their marketing representations. This contains an essential element of lies and false representation, which should be avoided even at the expense of lowering tourism income. It should also be noted that both tourism sites are carefully designed and organised to allow visitors to save their time while getting the most adequate and necessary information. The colour design, as well as using pictures and photos, create attraction and positive attitudes to the sites’ content. Besides this, both sites use interactive features and presuppose feedback and contact, which is necessary for the visitor to clear the most difficult and controversial issues. All problematic issues are covered in the FAQ section of the sites. To sum it up, there is no denying the importance of the fact that the creators of the sites managed to do their best to promote tourism in Thailand and Malaysia.