Thailand’s tourism industry and the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) got together last month to promote the country at the Thailand Travel Mart Plus 2009. SHALU CHANDRAN reports
THE Thailand Travel Mart Plus 2009 (TTM+) is the largest B2B event held in the country to promote the unique attractions and experiences offered by Thailand and the surrounding countries of the Greater Mekong sub region (GMS).
This year, TTM+ saw more than 360 delegate buyers from 51 countries meet with 405 travel organisations and related service operators from Thailand and the GMS. This marks an increase of 18 participating travel organisations and related service operators compared to 2008. Delegates from new markets included Argentina, Brazil, Estonia, Mexico, Moldova, Mozambique, Romania, South Africa and Turkey.
Running adjacent to TTN+ was the Thailand Tourism Festival which aims to encourage domestic tourism, featuring activities promoting the preservation of Thai culture, traditions and local lifestyles.
Given the challenges the travel sector in Thailand has faced the TTM+ has helped play a key role in supporting TAT’s efforts to achieve their targets for tourist arrivals this year. In 2008, Thailand welcomed around 14.59 million international visitors, which reflected a growth of 0.88 percent. Tourism revenues were estimated at $15 billion last year.
There was a significant increase in arrivals from three regions – the Middle East, which grew by close to nine per cent, visitors from ASEAN, up 13 per cent; and visitors from Oceania, which increased by around 4.5 per cent.
For 2009, TAT has set arrival targets at 14 million visitor arrivals. However, after the recent political events and the H1N1 cases, the authority has revised targets to ensure a more realistic arrival numbers. For the first four months of this year, visitor arrivals to Thailand totalled some 3.2 million, which was down 19 per cent compared to the same period last year.
Juthaporn Rerngronasa, deputy governor for marketing communications, TAT said, “While most markets showed varying rates of decline, Thailand witnessed an increase of almost 11.5 per cent in arrivals from the Middle East and a 3.6 per cent increase in arrivals from South Asia.”
“In a bid to reinforce Thailand position as a cost effective destination, TAT has introduced the Amazing Thailand Amazing Value campaign. The government has also implemented many measures to enhance Thailand’s tourist infrastructure and strengthen our country’s unique qualities,” said Rerngronasa.
TAT has also launched a campaign to help restore Thailand’s tourism industry. Highlights include trade shows and road shows to Korea, India, Taiwan, Dubai and Russia; online marketing to top travel communities and interactive websites.
Other promotions include the Amazing Thailand Grand Sale 2009 which runs until August.
Hailing the daily arrival of Emirates Airline’s A380 on its Bangkok route as a positive development for Thailand’s tourism industry, Chaisak Angkasuwan, deputy permanent secretary, Ministry of Transport for Thailand said, “Our current marketing and trade campaigns focus on promoting Thailand as an ideal holiday destination in the Middle East.
Travellers from this region make multiple visits to Thailand, staying on an average nine days and spending over $500 million annually.”