Bangkok, 17 November, 2017 –The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT), in collaboration with Thai Airways International, Bangkok Airways and EVA Airways, is this week hosting over 300 travel agents and media from around the world to the Thailand Mega Fam Trip 2017.
Mr. Yuthasak Supasorn, TAT Governor, said: “This is a fam trip on a grand scale and its purpose is to inform participants about the TAT’s new marketing concept ‘Open to the New Shades’. What better way to do this than to give them first-hand experience in Thailand.”
Previewed at ITB Asia 2017 in October and officially launched at the World Travel Market 2017 earlier this month, the ‘Open to the New Shades’ concept encourages visitors to discover a new perspective on Thailand, at both existing and new places and attractions. There is more attention given to enjoying unique local experiences and inclusive tourism, reflecting Thainess and the Thai people’s warmth in welcoming visitors.
Within this, there is a focus on specific customer segments; such as, gastronomy tourism, luxury, weddings and honeymoons, families, female travellers and Gen Y.
The various tour itineraries have been created for the participants of the Thailand Mega Fam Trip 2017; such as, Bangkok, Ayutthaya, Ratchaburi, Kanchanaburi, Phetchaburi, Chon Buri, Surat Thani, Phuket, Phang-nga, Krabi, Nan, Phrae, Sukhothai, Chiang Mai, and Nakhon Ratchasima.
Focusing on Bangkok, Ko Chang and Krabi, TAT has organised 4 trade meet events with local Thai sellers. Taking part in the Ko Chang itinerary are 44 buyers from China. They met with 52 Thai sellers in the trade meet event on 13 November at the KC Grande Resort and Spa Koh Chang.
For the trade meet event in Bangkok, there are 81 buyers from the Americas, Europe, Middle East and Africa region. Their event is on 16 November at the Dusit Thani Bangkok Hotel with 153 Thai sellers.
The trade meet events in Krabi involve 13 buyers from Japan with 17 Thai sellers on 17 November at the Shell Sea Resort, and 62 buyers from the Americas and Middle East region with 51 Thai sellers on 20 November at the Dusit Thani Krabi Beach Resort.
All the Thailand Mega Fam Trip 2017 participants attended a ‘New Shades of Amazing Thailand’ Party on 16 November from 18.30-21.00 Hrs. at the Nai Lert Park Heritage Home in Bangkok, where they learned more about the TAT’s ‘Open to the New Shades of Thailand’ marketing concept.
Following a record breaking performance in 2016, Thailand this year welcomed 26.10 million international visitor arrivals in the January to September period – a 5.4 percent increase over the same 2016 for period. TAT’s target for the entire 2017 year is 1.81 trillion Baht (50 billion USD) in tourism revenue.
In recognition of how important tourism is for the national economy, the government has set a growth target for tourism revenue of no less than eight percent in 2018.
*Photos from the New Shades of Amazing Thailand’ Party on 16 November
