by Joachim Fischer, TTM plus, Bangkok
Over 700 travel and tourism organizations from Thailand, the Greater Mekong Subregion (GMS) countries and around the world have met in Bangkok for the Thailand Travel mart Plus, the Premier annual trade event promoting travel and tourism to Thailand, and the neighbours. A key goal for this event was providing a platform for Thailand´s small and medium-seized entrepreneurs to market their products and services on the international stage.
This year more than 388 sellers and organizations are taking part with 425 booths, including 253 hotels and resorts, and 41 travel agents and tour operator. 14 organisations are attend ed from the Mekong Area.
The participants have met 335 buyers from 50 major markets including countries in Europe, America, and the Asia-pacific ( India 72, UK 25, USA 24, Russia 22 and Korea 16). As part of TAT´s, Thailands Travel and Tourism Organisation, to tap into new markets, this year also buyers from Portugal, Poland, Kazakhstan, Argentina, Brasil and Mexico attend the show. Also 60 trade visitors from Asia observed this event.
According to the TAT Governor, Mr. Suraphon Svetasreni.” TAT has embraced a five-point “balanced strategy” to ensure long-term , sustainable tourism marketing for the future of Thai tourism in 2011 and beyond.”
“These principles of balance take into consideration the fact that tourism does not operate in a vacuum but is interlinked with three key external factors – the economy, environment and society – which have to be taken into acoounbt”.
Thailand tourism sector has proven its ability to bounce back. From January 2010 until the end of july this year, over 8,7 million foreign visitors have come to Thailand. This is an increase of 13,8 percent over the same period of the previous year, said the governor.
East Asia accounts for the biggest share of visitors with a total of 4,3 million arrivals, up 14 percent. Europe has shown a solid growth rate of 13 percent, with 2,5 million arrivals. The Middle East and South Asian markets have also enjoyed strong growth at 25 percent and 17 percent, respectively. In August 2010, more than 860.000 international tourists arrived at Suvanabhumi International Airport. This is around 7 percent more than the same period of 2009.
TAT has set a conservative target of over 14 million international visitors arrivals in 2010 which will help generate estimated revenue of 530 billion Baht ( USD 16,5 billion ). The domestic tourism target is for 90 million domestic trips with a projected revenue of 430 billion Bath ( 13,39 billion USD).
TTM plus is designed to take advantage of Thailand´s position as the hub of the Greater Mekong Subregion or GMS. Thailand is at the crossroads, so the Governor, of the GMS and very accessible with 5 international airports, served by 97 airlines operationg over 1.100 flights per week.
Also on the ground is Thailand tourism friendly . A network of public and private Coachlines and a wide network of trains in different classes are working for the comfort of the tourists. The 1.200 km long R3A Highway now links Thailand, Lao PDR and China. In this days discussions between the Government of Thailand and the Government of China have started about the potential for a high-speed train linking Bangkok to Kumming via Lao PDR.
Plans for 2011
TAT is targeting 15,5 million international tourist arrivals. This presents 9 percent growth and should generate tourism revenue of around 600 million Bath or 18,5 billion USDollars. For the domestic market, TAT is targeting 3 percent growth in 2011. This presents around 91 million trips, generating around 432 billion bath, or 13,3 billion US Dollar inexpected revenue.
TAT will use more digital marketing activations. They will engage travelers through social media channels including Facebook and Twitter, as well as use technology innovations, such as QR Codes. Also TAT will use more online delivery platforms , such as the Amazing Thailand Video Cannel on You Tube and a wider use of E-Books and E-broschures.
In addition, IPhone users will be able to get a iThai application for Thai tourism updates and TAT will set up an Internet Call center that visitors can contact directly from their computer.
