Bangkok, 19 November 2018 – The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) is planning a strong presence at the China International Travel Mart (CITM) 2018, one of Asia’s largest trade shows held annually in China’s commercial capital of Shanghai.
Thailand has participated every year since the show was inaugurated 20 years ago. Organised by the Ministry of Culture and Tourism of the People’s Republic of China, Civil Aviation Administration of China and Shanghai Municipal People’s Government, the annual event is alternatively held in Shanghai and Kunming.
It attracts thousands of buyers from China, Hong Kong SAR, Macau SAR and Taiwan.
This year’s dates are 16-18 November, 2018 at the Shanghai New International Expo Center. The Thai tourism contingent will total 52 exhibitors, including hotels and resorts (20), travel agents (15), tourist attractions (10), hospitals (2), golf course (2), car rental (1), airline (1) and duty free shop (1). A total of 31 exhibitors, or 59.61% of the Thai participants, are first-time Thai exhibitors.
In terms of geographical distribution, sellers are from Bangkok (30) Phuket (7), Pattaya (5), Chiang Mai (3), Ko Chang, Trat (2), Ko Samui, Surat Thani (2), Krabi (1), Chumphon (1), Lamphun (1).
The Thai pavilion will reflect the kingdom’s major natural and cultural tourist attractions under the theme of “Amazing Thailand”. It has been divided into three zones:
- Tourism Information Zone: Information will be available in both Chinese and English.
- Business Discussion Zone: For Thai sellers to meet buyers.
- Thai Arts & Crafts Zone: Featuring demonstrations of Thai boxing and Thai massage.
Mr. Yuthasak Supasorn, TAT Governor, will also hold a press conference for Chinese and Thai Media on 17 November 2018.
On 19 November 2018, TAT will organise a “Post-CITM Table-Top Session 2018” at the Grand Central Shanghai Hotel for Thai tourism operators to do business with Chinese tour operators at a personal level, and offer more detailed presentations of their products.
Thailand is a popular destination for Chinese visitors because of the visa-on-arrival facilities, short travel distance factor. Thailand and China also have much in common in terms of food, cultural and ethnic relationships.
TAT has five offices in China to support the market including Beijing, Kunming, Shanghai, Chengdu and Guangzhou.