340 Buyers from 51 Countries at TTM+ 2019

In 2018, the Thai tourism industry recorded a total of 38 million international arrivals, up by 7.54% on 2017, generating an estimated US$62 billion in earnings, up by 9.63%.

This year, the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) has set a growth target of twelve percent in tourism revenue from the international market, and the three-day TTM+ 2019 currently being held in Pattaya will not only help the country achieve that, but also help to spread some of that revenue out to less well known places within the Kingdom.

Held this year under the theme of ‘New Shades of Emerging Destinations’, TAT is using the TTM+ to to promote 55 provincial destinations which are already popular with domestic tourists and are now seen as being ready for an influx of foreign visitors.

The objective is to create jobs and distribute revenue countrywide, from major cities to local communities, while creating sustainability by balancing the number of visitors to the destinations.

Mrs. Srisuda Wanapinyosak, TAT Deputy Governor of International Marketing (Europe, Africa, Middle East and Americas) said that this year’s TTM+ features some important changes in the trade show component to ensure enhanced business opportunities for both buyers and sellers.

“The total of 340 buyers from 51 countries is up 18.47% over 2018. Meanwhile, the TAT is seeking to step up its profile in the long-staying, high-spending Latin American market. For the first time, the buyers list includes 13 companies from Brazil along with new buyers from Chile, Argentina and Colombia,” said Mrs. Srisuda.

First time buyers have also been invited from other new source-markets such as, Lebanon, Latvia, Estonia, Kyrgyzstan, Kazakhstan, Azerbaijan, Slovakia, Ukraine and Israel.

The sellers list includes 370 exhibitors, mainly from the Southern and Central regions of Thailand. In order to help buyers home in on the emerging destinations, the directory of sellers includes a special listing of the 20 exhibitors from this segment.

“We recognise that in this era of constant change in everything from customer segments to technology and demographic profiles, the value of travel trade shows needs to be constantly refreshed and enhanced to justify the investment in time and money by both buyers and sellers. We also have to marry the business objectives of the private sector with our national objectives to create jobs, reduce income disparities and better distribute visitors around the country. At the TTM+, all these objectives have been merged. It takes time and effort for emerging destination cities to be recognised and chosen by travellers, and this year’s TTM+ has set the ball rolling,” added Mrs. Srisuda.

As the trade show opened on World Environment Day, it also included some major environmental protection features. All the printed materials, including the trade directory, are online, minimising paper distribution. Water coolers have been placed throughout the event, with delegates being encouraged to bring along their own water containers, or use the glasses provided. There are no plastic bags, or plastic bottles of water in sight anywhere.

After the business sessions come to an end later today, some buyers and media will depart for post-tours to various parts of Chonburi, Rayong, Chantaburi, and the Eastern Seaboard of Thailand as well as neighbouring Cambodia.

Thailand Travel Mart (TTM+) 2019 - TAT's Opening Press Conference

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