This year’s Thailand Travel Mart (TTM+) will be organized under the following themes: Thailand Travel 2023: An Amazing New Chapterand focus on meaningful destination experiences that will benefit travelers and local communities.
The event is Thailand’s most prestigious annual B2B tourism trade event organized by the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) to promote Thailand to the world.
TAT Governor Yuthasak Supasorn detailed the theme’s impact on the TTM+ programme, saying that many interesting businesses from across the country will gather on site to inspire unique travel experiences. These include the Araksa Tea Garden, an organic tea garden in Chiang Mai; Ruk-Khon, a group of shadow puppet artists in Nakhon Si Thammarat; the Luk Wa Group, a group of young volunteers promoting the unique handicrafts of Phetchabun; An alternative medicine and herbal healing center.
TTM+ delegates can also sample seasonal fruits from the Eastern region and freshly brewed organic coffee, accompanied by Thai desserts.
The event will feature informative presentations, including the latest information on destinations in Thailand; TTM Talk, focusing on the future of tourism in Thailand; and GMS Media Briefing, where GMS countries will provide the latest tourism situation and trends.
TTM+ has added “Fantastic Thai Food Town”, a trade and consumer event focusing on food tourism with 30 Thai entrepreneurs. Event attendees can experience food tours, dinner cruises and Thai cooking classes. Amazing Thai Food City will also host panel discussions and Thai food tastings.
In addition to the showroom, TAT has planned multiple before and after tours for buyers and media “to gain first-hand experience of Thailand’s many new chapters”.
The pre-tour features a bespoke itinerary highlighting responsible and sustainable tourism in Bangkok, while the post-tour aims to showcase meaningful travel experiences in all five regions of Thailand in terms of food, local lifestyle and local wisdom.
“this Thailand Travel 2023: An Amazing New Chapter Invite friends from all over the world to our wonderful country, write their own impressive chapters, and then share them with their friends and family. We focus on experiential tourism and hope to provide fresh travel experiences, aiming to create meaningful travel experiences for travelers, local communities and the environment. ” TTG Asia.
The campaign will also uphold TAT’s commitment to sustainable development. To qualify for an event, sellers must have sustainable programs and activities that protect the environment, reduce resource consumption, support the local community, or provide guests with valuable insight into the history, culture, or background of the community.
Sellers must also adhere to the country’s Sustainable Tourism Goals Exhibition Standard, which aligns with the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals.
Yuthasak said that with TTM+ set to launch on May 31, interest levels are high. The number of buyers this year is up 34% from 2022, while the number of sellers is up 64%.
He said the removal of entry restrictions in many countries, especially major source markets such as China, would help more buyers join TTM+ in person.
Improved air connectivity and increased travel demand have also fueled strong interest in TTM+ sourcing.
According to TAT, TTM+ 2023 will welcome 371 buyers and 433 sellers. Buyers came from almost all regions – East Asia (122); Southeast Asia, South Asia and the South Pacific (100); Europe, Africa and the Middle East (94), the United States (16) and Thailand (39).
Sell-side representatives include hotels and resorts, tour operators, entertainment venues, health and shopping malls, airlines, tourism boards and the Greater Mekong Subregion, among others.
