Domestic travel show opens

BANGKOK, 5 June 2012: The Thailand Tourism Festival 2012 opens tomorrow, 6 to 10 June, at IMPACT Muang Thong Thani.

Over 800 travel related booths will present the latest products to domestic travel consumers. Tagged “Travelling New Trend, Amazing Thailand”, the event is zoned according to the five main regions of Thailand; central, eastern seaboard, north, northeast and the south. The show is ogranised by the Tourism Authority of Thailand.

In addition to geographical regions, the show will have specific zones covering TAT’s works and projects, IT and digital products, cultural performances, Thai Food, OTOP fair and a related product zone organised by the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration and the Association of Domestic Travel (ADT).

TAT governor, Suraphon Svetasreni, noted that this year is “Miracle Year” a theme created by the government for celebrations linked to His Majesty the King’s 84th’s birthday and other royal activities up until HM the Queen’s 80th birthday in August in 2012, TTF this year will feature HM the King and HM the Queen’s works and projects.

According to TAT central region executive director, Somchai Chompoonoi, the show has two objectives.

“TTF will help raise awareness as well as promote travelling between region and province while it will also promote learning through tourism,” he added.

TAT estimated that the five-day show should attract at least 180,000 visitors and generate Bt300 million in revenue.

Travel by region

• Central region; luxury tourism ( quality tourism) displaying central region market destinations such as Kao Hong Market in Suphan Buri and Amphawa Floating Market in Samut Songkhram.

• Northern region; scenic routes – following a famous Thai soap opera series and movies shot on location in the North. One of the route follows scenes in Baan Wongburi, Prae province shot for the Roi Mai series. In the movie, Outrage, location shots at Mon Cham, Chiang Mai in U Mong Pha Muang are featured.

• Northeast region; seasonal flower fields in Ubon Ratchathani for Dusita flowers (Utricularia delphinioides Thor), in Chaiyaphum for Krajiew flowers (Siam Tulip) and in Udon Thani for Red Lotus flowers  (Nymphaea Rubra). Heritage destinations such as Phanom Rung Historical Park in Buriram are featured.

• Eastern region; wellness tourism particularly the HRH Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn Herb Garden in Rayong province.

• Southern region; famous food – demonstrations of how to cook local southern food as well as local products.

On future domestic campaigns, Mr Somchai said: “We are now establishing rail tourism routes, which will use OTOP products that are linked to the route.”

Ayutthaya, Hua Hin and Kanchanaburi top the list of destinations that could be linked to rail travel.

One route will follow in the footsteps of His Majesty the King Bhumibol Adulyadej who visited Ayutthaya last month raising awareness of the province just 70 km north of the capital.

Sourced: ttrweekly