The Tourism Authority of Thailand utilised its high-profile participation at the PATA Travel Mart during 25-30 September, 2007, to provide a detailed outline of its policies and strategies for hitting this year’s visitor arrivals target of 14.8 million.

The Travel Mart, held at the Bali International Convention Centre, was attended by a delegation of senior Thai tourism industry executives led by Mrs. Phornsiri Manoharn, Governor of Tourism Authority of Thailand, who is also a board member and executive committee member of the Pacific Asia Travel Association.

She was accompanied by Mr. Auggaphol Brickshawana, Deputy Governor for Policy and Planning.

TAT, which participates in the PATA Travel Mart every year, this year took an 18 sq m booth with a lavish Thai-style design under the theme of “Amazing Thailand,” the national tourism marketing slogan.

Over 1,356 participants from all over the world attended the Mart, comprising 427 buyers representing 348 organisations from 49 countries and 829 sellers of 376 organisations from 38 countries. Also present were 100 media from 24 countries.

Mrs Phornsiri said, “It was a highly successful event for us. There was tremendous interest in the Thai booth with many media and buyers visiting us to get an update of our new tourist attractions and activities.

“We also took advantage of our presence to draw up a strong namelist of prospective buyers to invite to the ASEAN Tourism Forum 2008 to be held in Bangkok in January 2008 and Thailand Travel Mart 2008 Plus Amazing Gateway to Greater Mekong Subregion (TTM+2008) to be held in June 2008.”

In addition, TAT highlighted the fact that Thailand is to host the first PATA CEO Challenge 2008 in Bangkok in April 2008 under the theme “Confronting Climate Change.”

In line with that, TAT highlighted its environmental awareness campaigns such as “Low Emission: Tourism Thai” which includes activities such as motor caravans which offset their emissions by planting trees nationwide, biking tours, and environmental friendly tour packages.

Mrs Phornsiri was also active in a number of PATA groupings such as the committee of national tourism organisations, board of directors, executive committee, and audit and finance committee.

Mr. Auggaphol gave a detailed media briefing to about 30 travel journalists.

This is an especially important year for Thailand as it celebrates the 80th birthday of His Majesty King Bhumibhol Adulyadej, the world’s longest reigning monarch. It is also a commemoration of the 20th anniversary of the famous Visit Thailand Year 1987, a landmark event in the history of Asia-Pacific travel and tourism.

In January – August 2007, international visitor arrivals at Suvarnabhumi Airport totalled 6.68 million, up 3% over the same period of 2006, with strong growth in arrivals from Europe, the Middle East and South Asia.

This year’s target of 14.8 million international visitor arrivals is up from the 13.82 million arrivals in 2006. Both business travellers and MICE delegates are growing at well above average levels.

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