TAT TO LEAD TRAVEL ROADSHOW TO AUSTRALIA, NEW ZEALAND

Thailand’s new tourism niche products will be prominently featured in a marketing roadshow to be organised by the Tourism Authority of Thailand in Australia and New Zealand between June 18-21, 2001.

In co-operation with the Association of Thai Travel Agents (ATTA) and Thai Hotels Association (THA), the TAT will be leading a high-powered tourism delegation on a four-day sales mission to Auckland, Melbourne and Sydney.

The delegation will comprise 52 senior representatives of 40 Thai airlines, hotels, resorts, tour companies and car rental companies. They will meet with buyers from outbound tour operators who have been invited to specially organised functions for an update on the latest travel & tourism products and services available in Thailand.

TAT’s Director of Marketing Promotion Department Mrs. Juthaporn Rerngron-Asa commented, "Our marketing partners in Australia and New Zealand share our very positive outlook for the future. Both markets are now picking up after being affected briefly by various developments in 1998-1999.

Visitors from Australia totalled 323,275 in 2000, an increase of 6.40% over 1999. Visitors from New Zealand totalled 55,775, recording a much higher growth of 26.24% over 1999.

The trend has continued in the first quarter of 2001, when Australian visitors totalled 84,136, a surge of 15.13% over the same period of 2000, while visitors from New Zealand reached 10,654, also a strong growth of 21.77%.

Major contributing factors for this growth were the very good value for money that Thailand now offers to Australian and New Zealand visitors as well as the good aviation linkages between Bangkok and major cities of Australia and New Zealand.
Both the TAT and THAI Airways offices in Australia and New Zealand have capitalised on these strengths to step up their marketing efforts with local tour operators.

Mrs. Juthaporn said, “The new emphasis now is on targeting the fastest growing segments of visitors from Australia and New Zealand such as youth/students, female visitors, business travellers and convention delegates.

“Our new range of eco-tourism and soft adventure products, excellent shopping opportunities, superb health and spa facilities and great MICE venues are perfectly suited to these emerging markets,” said Mrs. Juthaporn.

In 2000, visitors from Australia and New Zealand to Thailand spent an average of US$97.10 and US$101.47 per person per day respectively, above the US$96.27 average expenditure for all visitors.

The roadshow will feature a briefing for Thai operators by TAT marketing representatives, product briefing for foreign operators by representatives of the TAT, ATTA and THA, a video presentation on “Amazing Thailand”, a trade meeting for buyers and sellers, followed by a cocktail reception.

Exact dates and venues are as follows:

June 18 Carlton and Tasman Ballrooms at Carlton Hotel, Auckland, New Zealand

June 20 Melbourne and Brisbane Ballrooms at Sofitel Melbourne Hotel, Melbourne, Australia

June 21 Grand Ballroom 1 & 2 at The Regent Sydney Hotel, Sydney, Australia

The roadshow is part of a series being conducted by the TAT in major markets including Kuala Lumpur in Malaysia, Singapore, Dubai in UAE, Tokyo, Osaka and Fukuoka in Japan and Hong Kong, Beijing and Shanghai in China.