Bangkok, 27 September 2019 – The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) was voted by readers of the TTG Group of Travel Trade Publications as the Best National Tourism Organisation (NTO) of 2019. This is the fifth time TAT has won this accolade, after 2004, 2007, 2008 and 2011, respectively.
The award was conferred at the 30th Annual TTG Travel Awards Ceremony and Gala Dinner held on 26 September, 2019, at the Centara Grand at CentralWorld, in Bangkok. It is one of 8 awards won by Thai products and facilities in total.
The first annual TTG Travel Awards event was held in 1989 and has been organised every year since, with the exception of 2003, due to the SARS epidemic. The Awards now honours over 80 winners across 4 categories.
The awards are the result of votes cast by readers of TTG Asia, TTGmice, TTG China, TTG India, TTG-BTmice China, TTGassociations, and TTG Asia Luxury, for “their preferred travel suppliers in the region who have risen above the competition and surpassed expectations.
Mr. Tanes Petsuwan, TAT Deputy Governor for Marketing Communications said “Thanks to the entire Thai tourism industry, including both the public and private sectors, and all the related agencies for their support and cooperation. This award belongs to them. It is both a recognition and reflection of the dynamism of the industry, and a fitting reward for all those who work hard to enhance our tourism products, services and value proposition.
“The tourism industry is becoming extremely competitive every year, and to maintain Thailand’s marketing profile has become a huge challenge, so we are glad to see that our efforts are being recognised by the esteemed readers of the TTG Group.”
Next year is an especially important year, as TAT will celebrate its 60th anniversary. It will be a time for reflection on past achievements and careful management of a new era of challenges set to emerge in a highly competitive and constantly changing global and regional environment. TAT will launch a nationwide campaign to mark its 60th anniversary with core messages highlighting the importance of responsible tourism and being good hosts under the theme of “Next steps towards a sustainable Thailand”.
Mr. Tanes said, “The past 60 years have seen Thai tourism go through many ups and downs, but always emerge strong and resilient. Our contribution to national social and economic development is now well-recognised. With the strong support of all Royal Thai Government agencies, our partners and friends abroad, as well as our energetic private sector, we will be doing our best to stay the course in the years ahead.”
In January – July 2019, international visitor arrivals totalled 23 million, up 2.19% over the same period of 2018.
The list of Thai award winners:
Travel Supplier
- Best Boutique Airline : Thai Smile Airways Co., Ltd.
- Best Budget Hotel : Holiday Inn Express Bangkok Sathorn
- Best City Hotel – Bangkok : Grand Hyatt Erawan Bangkok
- Best Business Hotel : Bangkok Marriott Marquis Queen’s Park
- Best Meetings & Conventions Hotel : Centara Grand & Bangkok Convention Centre at CentralWorld
Hall of Fame
- Thai Airways International Public Company Limited
- Thailand Convention & Exhibition Bureau
