Bangkok, 26 March, 2014
–Facilitating a complete recovery from the recent political unrest will
be the primary focus of Thailand’s annual travel mart to be held
between 4-6 June, 2014, at the Exhibition Centre Hall, IMPACT Mueang Thong Thani.
Preparations
are under way for the largest B2B event, Thailand Travel Mart Plus
Amazing Gateway to the Greater Mekong Subregion’ (TTM+). First organised
in 2001, the TTM+ is designed primarily to help small and medium sized
companies, products and services in Thailand and the Greater
Mekong Subregion (GMS) countries gain international exposure, especially
those who cannot afford to attend the expensive travel trade shows
abroad.
The application period for hosted buyers is to close on 31 March, 2014.
This year, in addition to buyers from major markets; such as, Europe,
South East and North East Asia, the United States and Australia, the
Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) will be focussing heavily on
emerging markets like the CIS countries, Eastern Europe, the Middle
East, South America, and South Africa.
TAT
Governor Thawatchai Arunyik said, “There is no doubt that small and
medium sized companies were affected by the recent political crises, and
it is important to help them protect jobs and revenue. We are now
forging full-speed ahead with recovery plans. The TTM+ will be an ideal
opportunity to bring business back for the rest of the year and help us
meet our targets.”
In
January – February 2014, Thailand received 4,494,168 international
visitors, a decline of 4.09% over the same period of 2013. Now that the
political situation has improved, TAT has opted to maintain the original
2014 target of 28.6 million international tourist arrivals, generating
estimated foreign exchange revenue of 1.32 trillion Baht.
Mr. Thawatchai
added, “The full impact of the political unrest on the various source
markets is being analysed in detail, along with ongoing consultations
with all our industry partners and stakeholders in both the public and
private sectors on how best to design a productive and practical
programme for TTM+.”
This
year, four major products will be highlighted in a special pavilion;
Ecotourism, Health and Wellness, Wedding and Honeymoon, and Experience
Thainess. The 9 business categories arranged for the event are Hotel /
Resort, Tour Operator / Travel Agent, Entertainment, Transportation,
Golf Course, Association, NTO, the Greater Mekong Subregion, and Other
Travel Services.
Hosted
buyers are carefully selected by TAT in cooperation with overseas
offices and the private sector. The registration fee is USD300, or 9,600
Baht for each hosted buyer, which includes complimentary return economy
flight from international port to port, accommodation (from 3-7 June, 2014), transfers, tours, admission to official functions, and pre-scheduled appointments with exhibitors.
Non-hosted
international buyers can also attend the TTM+2014 upon payment of a
registration fee of USD 200 or 6,400 Baht. They can avail of the
same TTM+2014 services as the Hosted Buyers, except flights and
accommodation.
Domestic
buyers will also participate in a big way. TAT has also opened up
further opportunities for buyers to register on-site upon payment of a
registration fee of USD 150 or 4,800 Baht. All functions can be
attended.
The
official programme will begin on 4 June, 2014, with a welcome reception
at the IMPACT Exhibition Centre Hall 2. The business functions will be
held on 5-6 June followed by a Thank You Party on the evening of 6 June.
On 3 June, 2014,
complimentary pre-mart tours are being organised to take buyers and the
media to the surrounding areas of Bangkok. Departures for the post-mart
tours will begin on 7 June, 2014.
