Bangkok, 15 February, 2015 – First-time buyers and sellers have signed up in record numbers to attend the 15th Thailand Travel Mart Plus Amazing Gateway to the Greater Mekong Subregion to be held for the first time in the northern Thai capital of Chiang Mai between 8-10 June, 2016.
The event, which will also be opened for first time to ASEAN national tourism organisations, had registered 321 buyers as of 11 February, of whom 142 were first timers.
By country, the largest number of buyers (79) are from India. This is the highest number so far and projected to grow further before the registration deadline ends on 28 February, 2016.
In addition to the regular list of buyers from traditional markets; such as, Europe, Japan, Australia and North America, registrations have also been received from new buyers from new source markets; such as, Moldova, Ireland and Ukraine.
Sellers as of 11 February totalled 305 companies and exhibitors of whom 72 were first timers. This has already surpassed the total of 258 sellers and 49 first-timers recorded in March 2015, for the TTM+ 2015.
Tourism Authority of Thailand Governor Dr. Yuthasak Supasorn commented, “Such a large turnout of both buyers and sellers will help us meet one of the most important criteria cited by both sides in their feedback forms, which is to meet new people.”
He added, “The level of interest is also a very good indicator of the growing interest in Chiang Mai and the Northern Thailand region. Traditionally, the travel trade has featured the beach resorts of South Thailand in their programmes. Clearly, that will now change and help us meet one of our major objectives of shifting the location, which is to better balance the distribution of visitors all around the country and reduce congestion at the popular tourist spots.”
To be held at the Chiang Mai International Exhibition and Convention Centre (CMECC), the event will bear the theme of “Smile with Us.” Registrations for buyers and sellers are still open until 28 February and can be accessed here: www.thailandtravelmartplus.com
TAT is expecting 400 buyers from 50 countries. Tour operators who do not currently feature Thailand and the GMS countries in their product profile are being given priority in order to interest them in expanding their client base.
The registration fee for non-hosted buyers: the fee for foreign delegates is 200 USD (6,400 Baht) and local delegates 100 USD (3,200 Baht). Late deciders can register on-site for a fee of 150 USD (4,800 Baht). Applications are open until 28 February, 2016.
The registration fee for exhibitors is 35,000 Baht. The deadline is 28 February, 2016.
