Charn Wongsatayanont, the president of the Thailand Travel Agent Association (TTAA) believes that, although the political violence in Bangkok has ?pounded? the Andaman?s tourism industry, there is still hope for the Kingdom.

Khun Charn also heads up Phuket Jet Tour, a major local travel agency that is about to launch new management software to enhance its capacity and productivity, so that it may compete with its foreign interests in the market.

In development for the past five years, K Charn believes the ticketing and administration software will help level the playing field. ?One of the major problems is that our tourism industry has been grabbed by foreign investors, so we have to adjust our plan and management tools by utilizing IT.?

K Charn believes that doing so will allow his company, ?to enhance our capacity to serve a huge volume of clients during high season and also increase our productivity.?

The software, due to launch before the end of the year, consists of seven modules, including inbound and outbound ticketing, air ticket, database, finance, accounts and administration. The name of the software has not yet been disclosed.

While K Charn is confident about the future of his company, the TTAA president also suggests that the government should be equally as concerned with finding ways to restore travellers? confidence in the region and reviving the tourism industry. Political chaos in Bangkok has led to 2010?s foreign arrivals being at an all-time low, and K Charn believes ?We cannot predict how long it will take for the economy to return to normal.?

The Thai Travel Agent Association (TTAA) ? Upper South Chapter consists of about 15 agencies who are members of the IATA (International Airline Transport Association) from Phuket, Phang-Nga, Krabi, Surat Thani, Ranong, and Chumporn provinces.