Thailand
Thailand: Local firms swarm World Travel Market
Some 35 Thai tourism operators attended the World Travel Market 2017 (WTM), which finished today in London, as they aim to lure more international visitors.
Kobkarn Wattanavrangkul, the Tourism and Sports Minister, attended the event held from Nov 6-8 and said it is a chance for tourism leaders to meet with foreign organisations and provide comprehensive updates on the Thai tourism situation.
This month Thailand began a new national tourism campaign for international markets dubbed “Open to the New Shades of Thailand”. The campaign focuses on promoting local highlights and Thainess, or the friendliness of Thais in welcoming all visitors.
The campaign is aimed at attracting emerging target markets such as luxury travellers, weddings and honeymooners, female travellers, families and young travellers.
Princess Ubolratana also conferred the Thailand Green Excellence Awards 2017 on six Thai tourism products and attractions at the event.
The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) expects the 37th WTM in London will attract nearly 5,000 tourism and travel-related organisations such as destination management firms, travel companies, airlines, key industry buyers, journalists, digital influencers, students and tourism ministers.
This year, the Thai pavilion at the WTM features 35 exhibitors including 29 hotels, four tour operators, one airline and one tourism-related agency. These operators plan to meet with about 300 buyers from around the world.
TAT said some highlights at the Thai pavilion include “Muay Thai Angels” (Thai female boxers) and information about the MotoGP World Championship set to take place at the Buri Ram Circuit in October 2018.
The UK has the second-largest number of arrivals in Thailand from Europe. From January to September 2017, Thailand welcomed 723,438 visitors from the UK. For the full year, the number is expected to reach 990,000.
At the event, the Designated Areas for Sustainable Tourism Administration is promoting local attractions and festivals in Loei, Sukhothai and Ubon Ratchathani.
Source: https://www.bangkokpost.com/business/tourism-and-transport/1356583/local-firms-swarm-world-travel-market