ASIA - The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) is to merge the Thailand Travel Fair (TTF) with the Thailand Travel Mart (TTM).
The newly-created single major event will be called the World Tourism Expo and will next take place in 2014. It was conceived to attract international tourism organisations and outbound tour operators looking to present products to foreign buyers and Thai visitors.
TAT deputy governor for domestic marketing Thawatchai Aranyik said the World Tourism Expo will see two major changes, namely the inclusion of business negotiations at TTM Plus at the TTF.
"We agreed to merge the two events and organise them into a concept to attract new-generation travellers," Aranyik said. "Old-style tourism fairs may not attract these young tourists."
The merged event, held at Impact Muang Thong Thani, is expected to attract up to 400 Thai travel agents and foreign buyers.
The 2012 editions of the Thailand Travel Fair and Thailand Travel Mart were held in February and June respectively.
In other Thailand news, the country’s Tourism and Sports Ministry has confirmed it will ask for THB209m (US$6.59m) to bring a private firm on-board to develop and manage the delayed new expo centre Chiang Mai, in the north of the country.
Any news? Contact exhibitionworld@mashmedia.net
