Mr Akapol Sorasuchart, president of TCEB (Thailand Convention & Exhibition Bureau) (Public Organization) (left), Mr Darren Ng, managing director of TTG Asia Media (second from left) and Mr Sumate Sudasna, president of Thailand Incentive and Convention Association (TICA) (right) join hands to announce readiness for the holding of 19th IT&CMA and the 14th CTW Asia-Pacific. The event is the paramount of trade show in meetings and incentive of Asia Pacific region for which Thailand has been hosting for ten years in a row. The 19th IT&CMA will be holding from 4-6 October 2011, at the Bangkok Convention Center, Central World, Bangkok.

Preliminary results released by the Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA) today showed that international visitor arrivals into Asia/Pacific destinations1 grew by 4% year-on-year in May 2011, with the South Asia and Southeast Asia sub-regions recording particularly strong performances for the month. The first five months of 2011 showed South Asia attracted a 15% increase in visitor arrivals. Southeast Asia came second with 12%. Northeast Asia and the Pacific, on the other hand, only managed 3%. Across the whole of Asia/Pacific the average growth in international visitor arrivals was 5% for the first five months of 2011.

Dusit Thani Bangkok takes another lead role in showcasing Bangkok as the region’s premier arts and culture destination in a partnership with the annual Bangkok International Festival of Dance and Music. The 13^th Bangkok International Festival of Dance and Music is to be held between the 9 September -16 October 2011 at the Thailand Cultural Center, the largest annual performing arts festival in the country. It features Swan Lake on Ice, Mariinsky Ballet Gala, Bale de Rua, Flying Superkids, Flamenco Dance, etc. Many more famous artists and world-acclaimed theatre groups from around the globe in an exciting programme of classical music concerts, operas, as well as classical, contemporary and world dances.

Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA) Interim CEO Mr Bill Calderwood and Chairman Mr Hiran Cooray have announced that PATA is taking steps to restructure and move towards a better business model. Calderwood said: “This will involve a move to increased outsourcing of some support services and redeployment of resources to those areas where the organisation will increasingly concentrate its efforts to service its members.” Changes will be implemented in the research area as PATA advances its plans to focus on insights. Changes include fast-tracking the introduction of PATA’s Travel Intelligence Graphic Architecture (TIGA) system which allows members to see the latest travel statistics in real time online.

The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) is to organise the “Phuket Seafood Fiesta 2011” during 1-31 August 2011 to attract visitors to one of the kingdom’s most popular beach resorts during the “Green Season” months. Seafood lovers will be able to enjoy a vast range of Thai, Asian and global delicacies during the festival, which is being organised in cooperation with the Phuket Provincial Administration, numerous public sector agencies and the Phuket tourism industry. Tourism Authority of Thailand Governor Suraphon Svetasreni said, “Phuket, one of the world’s most popular beach resorts, is already renowned for its excellent seafood, all prepared in a variety of different styles and combinations.