German tourism to Thailand and the entire ASEAN region is expected to boom following a record turnout of 47 German buyers at the recent ASEAN Tourism Forum (ATF) in Bangkok last January.

Representing all the major German operators in the global marketplace as well as specialist operators in Thailand and Asia, the strong German presence contributed significantly to helping the region’s largest tourism fair prove to be an all-time success.

Overall, the 26th ATF was attended by a record number of delegates, including 446 sellers from the 10 ASEAN countries and a high of 627 buyers from 55 countries.

The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) Governor Mrs. Phornsiri Manoharn said The ATF 2008 set new records both in the number of participants as well as the overall results. The forum will substantially benefit the Thai tourism industry and facilitate the growth of tourism to the ASEAN region. “Most of the sellers agreed that this year’s ATF turned out to be very successful. Thailand also has an extremely high level of interest amongst buyers who would love to send more clients to the kingdom.

“The new and small boutique hotels and properties got a good chance to meet a large number of existing and new buyers far beyond their targets. As the host, we are very impressed and aim to organise the upcoming Thailand Travel Mart (June 5-8) as efficiently as this one,” Mrs. Phornsiri said.

The TAT governor said this year has seen the largest number of local sellers — 184 in total. The most significant newcomers were the small and medium sized enterprises (SMEs), which gained an important chance to publicise and promote their products internationally.

A special effort was made to get these SME operators to join the event because of the very cost-effective opportunity to meet with international buyers. Of all 28 SMEs which participated, 22 were hotels and resorts, five tour agents and one spa property.

TAT is projecting a 6% increase in tourist arrivals this year and it is likely that the target will be achieved considering that last year the market grew by 4% despite the economic recession and the political unrest in the South.

Though the economy appears sluggish this year, the TAT is attracting more high-end visitors who always travel no matter what, Deputy Govenor for International Marketing Mrs Juthaporn Rernronasa concluded.

In turn, Mrs. Phornsiri said she was very optimistic about future growth prospects. She noted that cruising will grow strongly as facilities improve; Thailand and Cambodia will have a joint visa enabling foreigners to visit both countries with one visa and low cost airlines will continue to make an impact boosting a number of flights to many under-utilized airports across the region.

Other contributing factors include the road networks emerging under the Greater Mekong Sub-region Cooperation linking Thailand with Lao PDR , Cambodia, Vietnam, Myanmar and China together with an influx of tourists from emerging markets like China and India.

Individually, Thailand will continue to amaze visitors with a number of new marketing campaigns reinforcing the Amazing Thailand slogan which proved so successful in 1998-99 and is still fondly remembered. This will remain TAT’s marketing slogan for the foreseeable future.

Thailand will be hosting a number of events this year that will bring in more visitors and help raise the country’s image and profile, and generate more foreign exchange income for the travel industry.

These are: the PATA CEO Challenge 2008 in April; Amazing Thailand Grand Sale from June to August covering Bangkok and the four metropolitan cities of Chiang Mai, Pattaya, Phuket and Hat Yai; Thailand Travel Mart Amazing Gateway to Greater Mekong Subregion in June , and the Lions Club Convention in Bangkok and Pattaya, also in June.

Contact information:
International Public Relation Division
Tel: +66 (0) 2250 5500 ext. 4545-48
Fax: +66 (0) 2253 7419
E-mail: prdiv3@tat.or.th
Web site: www.tatnews.org