Pattaya: Re-invented destination? Not everyone is convinced.

PHOTO: Oriental Escape

“Pattaya has reinvented itself for upscale travellers.”

In recent years, Pattaya has been striving, perhaps even struggling, to show itself to be more of a upscale and family-orientated destination.

Pattaya was under the spotlight again as this year’s host for the Thailand Travel Mart Plus (TTM+), with organiser, Tourism Authority of Thailand placing an emphasis on romance and luxury under the theme “Million Shades of Romance” at its annual tradeshow.

Commenting on the choice of Pattaya for TTM+ 2018, which was held last week at Ocean Marina Yacht Club, Tanes Petsuwan, deputy governor for marketing communications, TAT, says, “After two years of positive response in Chiang Mai, we wanted to show the new image of Pattaya and overthrow old perceptions of the city. Pattaya has reinvented itself for upscale travellers, with the Cartoon Network Amazone, F&B venues, Ramayana Water Park, international golf courses, etc.”

Located on the east coast of the Gulf of Thailand, Pattaya is expected to benefit from the Thai government’s “multimillion infrastructure investment” currently underway as part of the Eastern Economic Corridor development plan, Tanes added.

Key projects include the proposed high-speed railway connecting Suvarnabhumi, Don Mueang and U-Tapao airports and the upgrade of the Sattahip commercial port, all of which will help to position the city as a high-end travel destination, according to Tanes.

It is also this new image of Pattaya that sellers were eager to present to the international travel business community at TTM+.

Read the rest of the article from TTG Asia HERE.