Overwhelming success, trade mark of TTM+12
M F Jabir in Bangkok
Overriding expectations, over 473 buyers from 60 countries across the
globe met with 381 sellers offering Thai tourism products and services
in 12 categories at TTM+2012 which ended in a successful note in
Bangkok. The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) said Thailand's largest
travel and tourism trade exhibition, Thailand Travel Mart Plus 2012
(TTM+ 2012) held at IMPACT Exhibition Center Halls 5 and 6 in Bangkok
has recorded tremendous success in all spheres. The event, showcased
from June 6 to 8,with post events till June 11,2012, played an important
role in building momentum for the number of international visitor
arrivals to Thailand, which is showing solid growth compared to last
year.
This year's event is based on the theme "Customize Your Experience in
Thailand" to encourage tour operators to offer their customers, both
group travellers and free independent travellers (FITs), the opportunity
to enjoy itineraries that are tailored to their specific interests when
visiting Thailand.
Thanks to the fact that Thailand offers an enormous variety of
products and services that cater to all categories of target markets,
travelers' interests, ages and income levels, visitors can take
advantage of the endless "value for money" possibilities that Thailand
offers.
"This year, TAT is refocusing our strategies to attract a greater
number of niche-market visitors seeking holidays and experiences more in
tune with their personal preferences and lifestyles. Four of the key
niche markets that offer considerable potential are golf, weddings and
honeymoons, ecotourism and health and wellness.
The weddings and honeymoons category alone offers tremendous
opportunities for Thai tourism operators - at present, India, Korea,
Japan, France, USA and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) are
rapidly-growing source markets for those who want to get married or
celebrate their union in Thailand," said Suraphon Svetasreni, Governor
of the TAT.
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Suraphon
Svetasreni, Governor of the TAT |
From January to March 2012, Thailand welcomed 5.68 million
international tourist arrivals. This was a 7.13% increase compared to
the same period last year.
In April 2012, the number of international arrivals at Phuket Airport
grew by 15% while arrivals at Suvarnabhumi Airport grew by 7.2% compared
to the same period in 2011. During the first half of May 2012, the
number of tourist arrivals at Suvarnabhumi Airport was up by 10.71 %
over the same period last year.
The top five markets for international tourist arrivals during the
first quarter of 2012 were Malaysia (577,207 arrivals), China (561,083),
Russia (408,420), Japan (339,788) and Korea (305,206). Visitor arrivals
from the four Greater Mekong Subregion (GMS) countries totalled 463,468,
up 18.48% over the same period of 2011. Laos PDR topped the list with
238,114 arrivals (+18.64%), followed by Vietnam with 135,055 arrivals
(+26.33%), Cambodia with 59,998 arrivals (+5.67%) and Myanmar with
30,301 arrivals (+13.07%).
"With events such as TTM+2012 encouraging an increase in the number
of international tourist arrivals by highlighting all that Thailand has
to offer, revenue growth from international tourists should show a 9%
increase compared to last year. This will help the Thai tourism sector
to meet the revenue generation target of 766 billion baht - an important
contribution to the country's economy," added Governor Suraphon.
According to the latest UNWTO World Tourism Barometer, the Kingdom's
2011 tourism performance helped Thailand move up one place to 11th in
the ranks of the world's top destinations by international tourism
receipts. Thailand was also among five global destinations whose
international tourism receipts in 2011 grew by US$5 billion or more in
absolute terms, with income rising by $6.2 billion to a record $26.3
billion.
The annual TTM+ event, which also highlight's Thailand's role as a
travel hub for the GMS, will play an increasingly important role as the
ASEAN Economic Community (AEC), which will come into effect in 2015,
approaches. One of Thailand's major advantages is its geographical
location at the heart of Southeast Asia.
The trade and services liberalization that will come with the AEC
will boost people movements through and within the 10-member ASEAN
grouping. In terms of travel to the GMS countries, the recent opening up
of Myanmar will also benefit Thailand due to the two countries' close
connections by air, land and sea.
"A new marketing strategy has just been approved by the ASEAN NTOs'
Tourism Marketing and Communication Working Group, which Thailand is
proud to be chairing for 2011-2012.
This strategy identifies the relevant products and target markets,
charts specific short-term and long-term strategies and identifies ways
to execute them via adequate funding, communications channels and
measurement indicators. TTM+ 2012, which brings together buyers from the
throughout the region, is a great way to highlight Thailand's tourism
products and services while forging stronger links with our neighbouring
travel destinations," concluded TAT Governor Suraphon.
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