Thailand Travel Mart 2018 set to shine in Pattaya

Pattaya will be the host city for this year’s ‘Thailand Travel Mart Plus Amazing Gateway to the Greater Mekong Subregion’ (TTM+), positioning the event in a new light as the country’s travel sector continues to grow from strength to strength. The three-day event is scheduled for June 13-15

Ms. Srisuda Wananpinyosak, Deputy Governor for International Marketing – Europe, Africa, Middle East and Americas of the Tourism Authority of Thailand, said: “The TAT is proud to bring the TTM back to Pattaya, one of the country’s most popular travel destinations for both domestic and overseas travellers. This year’s event will showcase luxurious and romantic travel around the Kingdom under our ‘Million Shades of Romance’ promotion.”

The TAT has chosen the Ocean Marina Yacht Club in Pattaya for this year’s TTM+ to create a unique platform during three days of business meetings and fun with travel colleagues.

“After years of meeting indoors, we are ‘opening to the new shades’ of business experience against the beautiful backdrop of the Gulf of Thailand, Ms. Srisuda said. “The TTM+ 2018 will continue to promote Thailand’s important features, from its rich culture and history to beautiful natural attractions and variety of amenities and accommodation. All combined, it makes Thailand an outstanding destination where luxurious, romantic dreams come true.”

The Ocean Marina Yacht Club was chosen as the venue given its capability to hold large events, having hosted over 6,000 visitors at its 2017 boat show last November. Organizing the TTM+ 2018 at a marina also supports the Thai government’s push to position Thailand as Asia’s premier sailing and super-yacht destination, targeting high net worth individuals.

“We are confident that the Ocean Marina Yacht Club is more than capable of hosting a successful TTM+ 2018. We expect it will add its own style and panache, as the marina provides a perfect backdrop for the event’s ‘Summer Beach’ theme as well as our ‘green meeting’ concept. Also, apart from being the excellent host to the successful yacht show, this year’s venue reflects the readiness of Thailand and Pattaya as a romantic beach destination,” Mrs. Srisuda, added.

This year’s event will spotlight environmental sustainability. Delegates are also encouraged to help ‘save the earth’ using a TAT provided complimentary reusable water tumbler for beverages. The event directory is available in digital format only as TTM+ 2018 shreds paper usage to reduce its environmental footprint on the world’s resources. Finally, delegates are encouraged to bring their own beach bag to the event.

Mrs. Srisuda also pointed out that the TAT announced it choose Pattaya during last year’s TTM+ 2017 event in Chiang Mai. At the time the announcement was warmly received by both the international and Thai travel communities.

“In addition, Thailand successfully hosted the region’s largest travel trade show, the ASEAN Tourism Forum 2018 in January in Chiang Mai. We want to make sure that the TTM+ offers a new perspective for travel business meetings to ensure maximum productivity for both the sellers and buyers,” she concluded.

Registration for the 17th annual TTM+ 2018 continues to soar. A very strong buyer delegation is poised to drive business, led by 126 first time buyers balanced by 150 return buyers, including 124 from the EU, Africa and the Middle East; 66 from East Asia; 65 from ASEAN, South Asia and the South Pacific; and 23 from the Americas.

Meanwhile, confirmed sellers currently total 336 tables (313 organizations), including 71 newcomers and 265 return sellers. These include 16 organizations in the luxury and romance business, five associations, nine entertainment businesses, 240 hotels and resorts, 22 tour companies, two transportation companies, and eight other travel related services as well as 11 from the Greater Mekong Sub-region (GMS) countries.

Pattaya is part of the Eastern Economic Corridor (EEC), with tourism being one of the area’s four core sectors the Royal Thai Government has stated will help transform the ECC into a leading economic zone in Southeast Asia.

Editor: John Li