TAT calls Phuket businesses to tourism trade show

PHUKET: The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) is inviting tourism-related businesses in Phuket and throughout the region to take part in its Thailand Travel Mart 2012 (TTM 2012), to be held June 6 to 8 at Impact Muang Thong Thani Exhibition Center in Nonthaburi.

TTM 2012 will feature products and services related to eco-tourism, golf, health and wellness, and weddings and honeymoons in a specially-dedicated pavilion.

The TTM is the country’s premier annual trade event designed to promote travel and tourism not only to Thailand, but also its neighbors in the Greater Mekong Sub-region (GMS).

One of its primary objectives is to provide a platform for the small- and medium-sized entrepreneurs (SMEs) to cost-effectively promote products and services, as many of them cannot afford to attend tourism trade shows abroad.

This year, over 400 booths are available for travel operators and service businesses across Thailand and the GMS countries.

Business categories arranged for the event are: accommodation, entertainment, tourism organization/association, tour operator/ travel agency, transportation, and other travel services.

Buyers are sourced from the major markets worldwide.

TAT Governor Suraphon Svetasreni said, “The focus on the four niche-market segments is based on the global trend for more experiential tourism, especially among repeat travelers seeking to spend more focused time on a particular activity.”

Invited media and buyers will be able to avail of a range of post-event tours showcasing products.

Last year, the TTM welcomed more than 1,000 participants, including 150 members of the media from 30 countries. The 368 seller organizations included 78 agencies who were first-time sellers at the event. The 425 buyers from 54 countries included 120 first-time buyers.

Application forms and related information are available at: https://thailandtravelmartplus.com

The deadline application is March 16.

For more information contact the TAT’s International Public Relations Division (Tel: 02-2505500 ext. 4544-48; Email: prdiv3@tat.or.th; website: www.tatnews.org).

— Stephen Fein