Amazing TTM + and Thailand Tourism Festival 2007

Amazing TTM + and Thailand Tourism Festival 2007

Thailand Travel Mart Plus Amazing Gateway to the Mekong Region (TTM+) expanded this year into the Thailand Tourism Festival 2007 and was popular with the public and consumers alike during June 7-10.

As usual, the venue was at Muang Thong Thani, IMPACT Arena, Challenger 3, hosted by the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) and supported by Thailand Conventions and Exhibition Bureau (TCEB) as well as Thai Airways International (THAI). The official hotels were Sofitel Central Plaza and Rama Gardens near the re-activated Don Muang Domestic Airport in Bangkok.

On the evening before the event started, TAT organised a welcome reception for invited buyers and media at Dragon Passage on the 4th Floor of Siam Paragon. TAT Governor Ms Phonsiri Manoharn highlighted the Amazing Thailand campaign and noted that the event will provide the best opportunities to smaller and medium sized enterprises (SME) in the travel business to present their quality tourism products to meet the world wide market demand. Later on, the distinguished guests were invited to visit the very impressive Siam Ocean World at Siam Paragon.

During the official TTM+ media briefing by TAT on June 7 it was revealed that there were 325 seller organisations and 508 registered buyers from around the world. For the first time, TTM+ was combined with the newly initiated Thailand Tourism Festival to make it the largest event ever held in the Thai travel and tourism industry. Also, the ongoing celebrations mark the auspicious occasion of His Majesty the King’s 80th Birthday, which falls on 5 December 2007. For the year 2007, the target is to welcome 14.8 million tourists to the Kingdom of Thailand.
Furthermore, strengthening co-operation with the neighbouring countries of the Greater Mekong Sub-region (GMS) stays important as an integral part of future marketing plans. Participate National Tourism Organisations (NTO) came from Yunnan/China, Cambodia, Laos, and Myanmar. Vietnam was not present, mainly because they will have their own International Travel Exhibition (ITE) at Ho Chi Minh City on October 5-7. Next to the 18 TAT offices world wide, new offices will be in Dubai, Moscow and Ho Chi Minh City. For 2008, there will be the promotion of Beijing and Bangkok ties with active links by THAI and Air China. Bangkok will be in the spotlight again during the ASEAN Tourism Forum (ATF) in January, PATA Annual Summit in April and TTM+ on June 5-8, 2008.

In the context of the mid-September opening of the new Novotel King Power Bangkok, which will provide 387 fully I.T. equipped rooms and suites in the heart of city, there was a small wine party organised by some executives of ACCOR. Shortly after, on the evening of June 7 at Challenger 1-2, Thai Tourism Minister Dr. Suvit Yodmanee ceremonially opened the Thailand Tourism Festival 2007, promoting the traditions and cultures of the four main regions of the Kingdom.

On June 8, there was another media briefing by Laos, focusing on the upcoming Lao Eco-tourism Forum “Bridging the Mekong Region” at the Don Chan Palace Hotel in Vientiane on July 26-29, 2007. Mr. Saly Phimphinith, Acting Director-General, Tourism Marketing and Promotion Department, Lao National Tourism Administration (LNTA), introduced the world heritage sites of Luang Prabang and Wat Phu Champasak, while Mr. Kettasone Sundara, Director for Tourism Marketing Division, detailed the program for the event. There will be a Mekong Night Gala Dinner, Lao Food Festival, Mekong Fun Run, and Music and Dance Show.
The following companies (in alphabetical order) offered outstanding tourism products during TTM+, which are all highly recommended:

Air Bagan, Myanmar. http://www.airbagan.com/
Angkor Century Resort & Spa, Siem Reap. http://www.angkorcentury.com/
Angkor Village Hotel - Resort & Spa, Siem Reap. http://www.angkorvillage.com/
Asara Villa & Suite, Hua Hin. http://www.asaravillaandsuite.com/
Baan Amphawa Resort & Spa, Samut Songkhram. http://www.baanamphawa.com/
Bangkok Airways. http://www.bangkokair.com/
Banyan Tree, Bangkok. http://www.banyantree.com/
Bundarika, Phuket. http://www.bundarika.com/
City Royal Hotel, Siem Reap. http://www.cityroyalhotel.com/
Don Chan Palace, Vientiane. http://www.donchanpalacelaopdr.com/
Dusit Hotels and Resorts, Bangkok & Hua Hin. http://www.dusit.com/
Hotel Nikko Royal Lake Yangon. http://www.nikkoyangon.net/
Kandawgyi Palace, Bangkok. http://www.kandawgyipalacehotel.com/
Karon Sea Sands Resort & Spa, Phuket. http://www.karonseasand.com/
Klang Dong Mountain View. http://www.klangdongmountainview.com/
Koh Talu Island Resort, Petchburi. http://www.taluisland.com/
Kunming China International Travel Service, Kunming. http://www.kmcits.com.cn/
Lao Airlines, Vientiane. http://www.laoairlines.com/
Ministry of Tourism, Cambodia. http://www.mot.gov.kh/
Nai Lert Park Bangkok. http://www.nailertpark.swissotel.com/
New Star Beach Resort, Koh Samui. http://www.newstarresort.com/
Phanganburi Resort & Spa, Bangkok. http://www.phanganburiresort.net/
Phnom Penh Hotel, Phnom Penh. http://www.phnompenhhotel.com/
Racha Kiri Resort & Spa, Kha Nom. http://www.rachakiri.com/
Rama Gardens Hotel, Bangkok. http://www.ramagardenshotel.com/
River Kwai Hotel, Kanchanaburi. http://www.riverkwai.co.th/
Royal Angkor Resort, Siem Reap. http://www.royalangkorresort.com/
Sofitel Riverside Chiang Mai, Chiang Mai. http://www.sofitel-chiangmai.com/
Springfield Village Golf, Resort & Spa, Hua Hin. http://www.springfieldresort.com/
Thai Airways. http://www.thaiairways.com/
The Blue Marine Resort & Spa, Phuket. http://www.thebluemarine.com/
The Chedi, Chiang Mai & Phuket. http://www.ghmhotels.com/
The Legend Chiang Rai, Chiang Rai. http://www.thelegend-chiangrai.com/
The Mangosteen Resort & Spa, Phuket. http://www.mangosteen-phuket.com/
Tourism Authority of Thailand. http://www.tourismthailand.org/
Tria Integrative Wellness, http://www.triaintegrativewellness.com/
Trisara, Phuket. http://www.trisara.com/
Veranda Resort & Spa, Petchburi. http://www.verandaresortandspa.com/
Vogue Resort & Spa, Krabi. http://www.vogueresort.com/
Wianginn Hotel, Chiang Rai. http://www.wianginn.com/
Woraburi Phuket Resort & Spa, Phuket. http://www.woraburi.com/

Another highlight of TTM+ was the complimentary post-mart tour to Hua Hin, which was successfully organised by TAT Central Region Office 2, on June 9-10. Some 34 international buyers and media representatives were taken by bus from Bangkok to Samut Songkhram to visit the Dao Dong Ago-tourism Centre and King Rama II Memorial Park. Lunch was offered at Baan Amphawa Resort & Spa, which is idyllically nestled along the Mae Klong River.

Passing the town of Petchaburi, which celebrates its Visit Petchaburi Year 2007, there was a hotel inspection at the progressive Asara Villa & Suite in Hua Hin, where Executive Assistant Manager Richard James Hoek welcomed the group. Just before sunset, we reached the Springfield Village Golf & Spa in a superb mountainous surrounding to have a buffet dinner and overnight. Later on, there was the good opportunity to enjoy the last night of the Hua Hin Jazz Festival on the beach, mainly sponsored by Heineken Beer and where more than 60,000 visitors listened to the music.

After a late breakfast next morning, the group left the golf resort designed by Jack Nicklaus for sightseeing and visited the elegant and windy seaside Mrigadayavan Summer Palace of King Rama VI built in 1923-24 by a Swiss architect. Shopping was possible at the Rashnee Thai Silk Village & Handicraft Centre in Hua Hin. Later on, lunch was taken at the romantic Supatra-by-the-Sea Restaurant. Before leaving Hua Hin back to Bangkok, the group inspected the Let’s Sea Hua Hin Al Fresco Resort, where you can swim right into your room. Amazing Thailand, I guess!
Last not least, there are preparations to see some other regional travel marts coming, such as the Philippines Travel Mart at Cebu in September, the Indonesian one along with PATA Travel Mart in Bali, Indochina Travel Expo in Ho Chi Minh, and last not least, the Cambodian Travel Mart (AITEX) re-scheduled at Siem Reap on October 1-3.

About Thailand Tourism Festival 2007

The Thailand Tourism Festival 2007 (TTF 2007), the annual travel and tourism showcase event targetting Thai and expatriate residents, held on 7-10 June, 2007, at the Challenger Hall 1-2, Impact Muang Thong Thani Exhibition Centre.

The event held in conjunction with the Thailand Travel Mart Plus 2007 for international trade visitors and consumers and will help to further boost the publicity and promotional value of Thai tourism products and services.

This year, the Festival included many activities to promote the preservation of Thai culture, traditions and local lifestyles through four region villages. Special traditional parades from each of the four regions held, along with stage performances to demonstrate local folklore, plays, Thai puppet performances, Khon dance, etc.

Over 300 exhibitors including tour operators, travel agents, diving schools and equipment, spas, hotels and accommodation, airlines, golf courses, car rental, souvenirs, local handicrafts, local foods, and entertainment suppliers are participated.

Other special activities at this year’s fair included an exhibition held in honour of His Majesty the King on the auspicious occasion of his 80th birthday anniversary, an exhibition of TAT history, Tourism Award exhibition, and tourism destination in the four regions of Thailand.

TAT Governor, Mrs. Phornsiri Manoharn said, “This event is designed to help Thais and expatriate residents discover Amazing Thailand’s destinations as well as the wide range of tourism products and activities nationwide.” The Thailand tourism industry is doing well.

In 2006, International visitor arrivals to Thailand totaled 13.8 million, an increase of 20.01% over the same period of 2005. In January-April 2007, international visitor arrivals at Bangkok’s Suvarnabhumi International Airport totaled 3,413,197 an increase of 2.61% over the same period of 2006. This figure excludes direct arrivals by air into other points of entry like Phuket and Chiang Mai.

The TAT has set its 2007 targets at 15 million international visitors and 82 million domestic trips, respectively generating estimated revenues of 547.5 billion baht and 377 billion baht.

Overall, TTM Plus with TTF is a Great Beginning…

Thailand will Attract One Million Chines Tourists

From June 07 to September 07 this year, the Thailand National Tourism Bureau will launch Green Travel packages targeting Chinese tourists, and it will specifically launch special trips for Chinese senior citizens. Bali Island and Phuket will also arrange various activities for family tourists from China.

Nongnart Wattanachart, a director from the Thailand National Tourism Bureau, expressed during his recent visit to Shanghai that Thailand would attract one million Chinese tourists to visit Thailand this year and it would expect to receive three million Chinese tourists by 2010.

Xiao Qianhui, general manager of Shanghai Spring-Autumn Travel Service Company, told local media that Chinese citizens spend an average of six days in Thailand during each visit and they spend 6000 Baht each time, excluding the expenditure on transportation and accommodation. Xiao said that in order to better expand Thailand's Phuket market, Shanghai Spring-Autumn Travel Service has opened a branch in Phuket.

At present, airline companies such as Shanghai Airlines, Thai Airways, Singapore Airlines and Dragonair all have launched flights to Phuket Island. China Eastern will resume a Shanghai-Phuket line from July 16 and China Southern will launch a Guangzhou-Phuket line from July.

Thailand Travel Mart 2007

AMAZING GATEWAY TO GREATER MEKONG SUBREGION (TTM+2007) June 7 - 10, 2007

Since 2001 Tourism Authority of Thailand and Thai Tourism Industry play host to Thailand Travel Mart, Thailand biggest annual travel mart which has continue to gain a recognition as an important distribution channel to present quality tourism products as well as a platform for travel trade to meet and exchange ideas on tourism trends of Thailand and beyond. This year’s TTM 2007, targeted quality invited buyers from key and emerging markets and sellers from Thailand and the Mekong Region countries. In addition, TTM2007 will be held in conjunction with Thailand Tourism Festival for Thai consumer which will help to boost the publicity of the event.

Three of Thailand’s primary travel and tourism showcase events are to be merged into one large function targetted at both the trade and consumer during 7-10 June 2007 at Challenger Hall, Impact Muang Thong Thani Exhibition Center.

The event will bring together the Thailand Travel Mart (TTM) 2007 Plus Amazing Gateway to Greater Mekong Subregion and Thailand Tourism Festival 2007 (TTF 2007), making it the biggest such event to be ever held in the country.

About 315 sellers from Thailand and GMS countries are expected to participate in the Thailand Travel Mart (TTM) 2007 Plus Amazing Gateway. These include 224 hotels, 5 airline, 8 ecotourism and adventure operators, 18 medical & health tourism facilities, NTOs and other services, 29 tour operators and 31 companies from the Greater Mekong Subregion.

The broad range of sellers will mean that the 350 invited buyers will have an opportunity to get information about products and services about Thailand as well as all its neighbouring countries.

Hosted buyers are carefully selected by the TAT with cooperation from its overseas offices and private sector. The registration fee is US$200, EUR155 or Bt7,400 for each hosted buyer with complimentary air fares, accommodation and transportation to and from the venue provided.

Other local and overseas operators are also allowed to participate at their own expense. The registration fee is USD70 or EUR55 or Thai Baht 2,590 for each non-hosted buyer.

About 50 corporate buyers from Thailand will be invited to attend on the afternoon of the final trade day to give additional exposure to the sellers. This will be followed by two days of consumer participation on June 9-10.

The event is especially important for the small and medium sized enterprises which do not have the large marketing budgets to afford participation in the major international trade shows.
Meetings between buyers and sellers are arranged by a matching appointment system with 70% of scheduled appointments being pre-arranged before the mart opens, leaving the rest to be done on-site. Each appointment will last 15 minutes.

The official programme will begin on June 6, 2007 with a welcome reception in the evening at Siam Paragon, a newly-opened world class shopping and entertainment centre. The business functions will be held on June 7-8 at the Challenger 3, Impact Muang Thong Thani Exhibition Center, the world’s largest column-free exhibition hall, Asia’s largest indoor exhibition center and Thailand’s largest ballroom.

Media are those invited by TAT's overseas offices to cover the travel mart as well as participate in the fam trips. Several complimentary post-mart tours are being organised by the TAT to take buyers and the media to surrounding areas such as:

> Trendy Bangkok

Route: Boutique and Hip Hotels in Bangkok
> A Legend of Historical River

Route: Bangkok - Chachoengsao - Nakhon Nayok
> Journey Back to History - Classic Amphawa

Route: Bangkok - Samut Sakhon - Samut Songkhram – Ratchaburi
> Colors of the East - Country of Tropical Fruits and Peaceful Beaches

Route: Bangkok - Rayong – Chanthaburi
> Classical Central - Chic Vacation by the Romantic Coastline

Route: Bangkok - Samut Songkhram - Phetchaburi-Prachuap Khiri Khan
> Pattaya - City of Variety

Route: Bangkok - Pattaya (Chonburi Province)

For more details, please check out prdiv3@tat.or.th

Fair Information
VENUE: Challenger 3, Impact Exhibition and Convention Center.
Schedule : June 7-10 ,2007

Trade Days & Consumer Days

June 7-8 (Thursday and Friday), are Thailand Travel Mart (TTM) or “Trade Days” – the show will be opened to Trade Buyers only.

From evening of June 8 onward to June 9-10 (Friday – Sunday), are “Consumer Days” – the show will be opened to the publics. More than thousands of Thai consumers and expatriates expected to visit TTF to shop and book for their holiday and travel.

Sellers are invited to participate for both Thailand Travel Mart and Thailand Tourism Faire as this will be a good opportunity of conjoined events to meet with both travel business partners for negotiation and trade deals as well as consumers to promote and expand direct sell channel.

For latest Tentative Programme, Please visit:

http://www.thailandtravelmartplus.com/tentative_programme.html

Welcome to the Thailand Travel Mart and Experience the Amazing Gateway to the Greater Mekong Subregion!

Kunming-Bangkok road to put into use this year

Kunming-Bangkok road to put into use this year

A Chamber of Commerce delegation from Thailand will visit Kunming later this month and sign a cooperative contract with the local government of Yunnan Province. They will also discuss further economic cooperation between the two sides after the completion of the Kunming-Bangkok Highway this year.

Kunming-Bangkok road is a main project supporting China-ASEAN Free Trade Zone. It starts in Kunming and terminates in Bangkok, with the section extending over 1,900 km. Currently the construction of the Chinese section of the road has been completed, and the Thai section will be finished later this year.

Recently a transport association in Yunnan has signed a cooperative contract with the local government of Bankok. The association will help to pool the transportation resources of some 858 enterprises in Yunnan to boost trade between Thailand and Yunnan.

Source: ChinaNews

Mekong Tourism Investment Forum 2007

Mekong Tourism Investment Forum 2007

Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam

Tourism authorities from the six countries of the Greater Mekong sub-region met in HCM City on 29-30 March 2007 to seek common strategies to encourage investment in privately owned facilities and services.

One of the main speakers, Dr Pham Tu, Vietnam National Administration for Tourism (VNAT) deputy director general, said the forum sought ideas from the business community, tourism authorities and financing institutions.

The goal was to make the area a major tourism destination and contribute to poverty alleviation and sustainable tourism development, he said.

More than 150 representatives of the business community and tourism authorities from Viet Nam, Laos, Cambodia, Myanmar, Thailand, and Yunnan Province in China attended the second annual Mekong tourism investment forum.

Financial lenders, academics, experts and observers also contributed their ideas toward creating sustainable tourism, especially for small- and medium-sized companies that operate in the private sector.

Held by the ADB and VNAT, the forum explored specific investment options, including common commercial bank loans, currently available SME funds and soft-loans, venture capital, and personal financing.

Delegates also discussed green certification, networking and mentor programs and proposed solutions that ADB and other related institutions could support.

Dr. Tu said the Greater Mekong Sub-region, which covers 2.5 million sq. km and has a population of more than 300 million, has great potential for tourism development, with 14 UNESCO World Heritage Sites and monuments.

(www.mekongworldheritage.org http://whc.unesco.org/en/list)

In 2005, GMS received more than 20.5 million visitors, accounting for 11 per cent of the total number of tourist arrivals in the Asia-Pacific region. The figure is expected to grow to 50 million in 2015. Dr. Tu said in 2005 the GMS tourism sector earned US$16 billion and generated more than 4 million jobs.

Kamol Ratanavirakul, senior consultant at the Institute for SME Development of Thailand and president of Thai Hotel and Hospitality Management Association, said the International Finance Corp, ADB, the Japanese Overseas Economic Cooperation Fund and other lending institutions should provide more support to SMEs in the region.

That could be done by setting up a tourism development fund providing low-interest loans to tourism SMEs, he said.

According to an ADB report, participation by the private sector in the GMS was mixed. In Cambodia and Thailand, tourism-related businesses all belong to the private sector, while in China’s Yunnan Province, Laos and Vietnam, many are government-owned, particularly larger hotels. However, many small- and medium-sized travel agencies in Vietnam are in the private sector.

For further information please contact: www.mekongtourism.org

Mekong Region as a Single Travel and Tourism Destination

To promote the Mekong region as a single travel and tourism destination under the brand ‘Mekong Tourism’.

Tourism is undeniably one of the largest industries in the world and a rapidly growing phenomenon. This particularly true of the GMS Countries.

For complete information on Mekong Tourism and Development, please log on to the official site www.mekongtourism.org