15th TITF opens 14 August

BANGKOK : Around 200,000 consumers are expected to visit the 15th Thai International Travel Fair at the Queen Sirikit National Convention Centre, 14 to 17 August.
The annual B2C event attracts consumers keen to snatch up promotions on accommodation, tour packages and airline fares valid September through to January 2015.
Speaking at a pre-event press conference, Thursday, Thai Travel Agents Association president, Suparerk Soorangura, said the travel fair would help to boost sales and reinvigorate domestic and outbound travel that has been sluggish so far this year.
“Travellers will be able to purchase domestic or outbound packages that will save them 10% to 20% off standard prices,” he said.
The more they spend the better chance they will have to win prizes, the top one being a roundtrip fare and package to Hong Kong.
He added: “Japan and ASEAN will be the top destinations for Thais… The Philippines will also gain attention at the show as a signature destination.”
About 40,000 Thais travel to the Philippines each year, he estimated.
Thailand’s outbound travel market generates around 5 million trips a year, but at least 2 million trips are to neighbouring destinations mainly overland.
The TTAA president also claimed that consumers could purchase packages and deals without worries. He said all the deals were genuine and provided by professional and reliable companies.
“Tour operators who sell packages at the event are our members and are all legally registered at the Ministry of Tourism and Sports’ Department of Tourism’s Bureau of Tourism Business and Guide Registration.”
Best Western Asia Pacific is attending the TITF for the first time to add support for its expanding network of hotels in Thailand and neighbouring countries.
Best Western’s stand is C198, where show visitors can pick up vouchers at promotional rates at three of the group’s hotels.
Best Western Patong is selling a superior room for two nights with breakfast at a voucher price of THB3,400; Best Western Serenity Hua Hin at THB1,200 for a one-night package with breakfast and Best Western River Palace Hotel, Phnom Penh, Cambodia at THB1,400 for one night with breakfast.
Kasikorn Bank cardholders, who purchase travel products valued at THB15,000, THB50,000 and THB120,000 will get a Starbucks card worth THB300, THB1,500 and THB4,000 respectively.
Credit co-cardholders of Kasikorn and AirAsia will get an AirAsia E-Gift voucher worth THB5,000. Top spender of the day will get two-day-one night reward at Phuket Club Med worth THB36,000.
SCB offer various promotions such as 0% interest on installments for six months, cardholders who purchase travel for a value of THB15,000, THB50,000 and THB100,000 will get a Central gift voucher worth THB300, THB1,500 and THB4,000 respectively.
Top spender of the day will get free stay at Cape Dara Resort Pattaya’s deluxe corner worth THB11,200.
Thanachart Bank also offers rewards. For a spend of THB6,000, cardholders will get a Bt200-Tesco Lotus voucher; Bt25,000 gets you a THB1,990-Nautica sporty bag; and THB65,000 a THB6,900 luggage wheelie. Top spender of the day who spends over THB200,000 will get a Thai Airways International roundtrip ticket, Bangkok-Hong Kong, including a three-day/two-night stay at a four-star hotel worth THB45,800.
AEON Card offers credit refunds of 5% when purchasing through AEON Gold card on various promotions. TTAA estimates the four-day event will attract 200,000 visitors and generate Bt500 million.
Held twice annually in February and August, the 15h edition, will have 600 booths representing hotels, resorts, travel agents, airlines, cruise companies, car rental companies, theme parks, tourism organisations, banks and travel insurance companies.
TITF is organised by TTAA and the Association of Domestic Travel. Sponsors are: Thai Amadeus Southeast Asia; ThaiVivat Insurance PCL; Kasikorn Bank; Siam Commercial Bank; Thanachart Bank; AEON Card; Ministry of Tourism and Sports; Ministry of Culture; Tourism Authority of Thailand; Department of Tourism; Tourism Council of Thailand; Thai Hotels Association and the Association of Thai Travel Agents.

Sourced: ttrweekly