Thailand prepares 'Mega FAM Trip 2003'

Thai Airways International (THAI), Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT), and Tourism Council of Thailand (TCT) are cooperating in the organization of “MEGA FAM TRIP 2003,” inviting top journalists and travel agents from around the world to visit Thailand during June – August 2003. The project aims to promote the Thai tourism industry and to create confidence in Thailand as a SARS zero transmission country.

Mr. Tasnai Sudasna, THAI’s Executive Vice President for Commercial, said that the “MEGA FAM TRIP 2003” is being organized to boost Thai tourism, which has been affected by the SARS outbreak, for the purpose of promoting tourism in Thailand to the international media and travel agents in various countries. Thailand is being promoted, in the “MEGA FAM TRIP 2003” promotion, as a SARS-free tourist destination.

THAI and TAT have jointly selected top travel and tourism journalists as well as travel agents from around the world to participate in the “MEGA FAM TRIP 2003” to Thailand, with participants from the Australia, China, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Nepal, New Zealand, Pakistan, Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS), Singapore, United States of America, and other nations. Approximately 1,500 tour operators and travel-tourism media will travel to Thailand to join in the tourism educational program during June – August 2003, which entails travel to tourist sights in Bangkok, Pattaya, Karnchanaburi, Hua Hin, Chiang Mai, Chiang Rai, Phuket, and Krabi.

Upon arrival in Thailand, participants will be welcomed at a cocktail reception by Thailand’s Minister of Tourism and Sports together with the Management of THAI, TAT, and TCT, and the group will visit top tourist destinations in Thailand. THAI will sponsor approximately 1,500 air tickets for travel on its international and domestic routes, TAT will sponsor meals, and TCT will sponsor land arrangements.

Mrs. Juthamas Siriwan, Governor of the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT), stated that the “MEGA FAM TRIP 2003,” organized in support of the “Thailand Smile Plus” project, is a major tourism campaign which aims to boost travel from target markets according to region. The “European MEGA FAM TRIP” will be organized with the participation of tour operators and journalists from the European region, with confirmed attendance from those in the countries of Germany, Switzerland, Austria, Czechoslovakia, Hungary, and Poland. In addition, the “Russian Mega Fam Trip” from the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) amounts to approximately 600 participants, that includes a welcome reception and introduction of Thailand as a tourist destination on Friday, 13 June at the Bangkok Convention Center, Sofitel Central Plaza Hotel. At the end of June, “Japan Big Bang” will be held for the Asian market, with the promotion period lasting from July – August, inviting up to 15,000 participants. TAT has arranged for presentations to be made about the current state of the Thai  tourism industry and the facts about SARS, providing preventive measures that may be taken. Public speakers will be invited from the government, Ministry of Public Health, and the World Health Organization, who will jointly speak about SARS issues and Thailand as a SARS-free country.