Thainess tops TAT’s sales menu

Shanghai, 20 November 2014: The Tourism Authority of Thailand led a high-powered delegation to present the latest campaign “Thainess” at the China International Travel Mart 2014 (CITM), earlier this week.
The China International Travel Mart closed, 16 November, after three days of B2B travel sales and promotions at the Shanghai New International Expo Centre.
China National Tourism Administration, Shanghai Municipal People’s Government and Civil Aviation Administration of China, organise the show, one of the biggest outbound B2B events in the country.
TAT governor Thawatchai Arunyik
TAT governor Thawatchai Arunyik
The massive travel show is hosted alternate years in Shanghai and Kunming. Exhibitors and delegates come from over 100 countries.
This year, the Thai tourism contingent comprised of 52 exhibitors, including hotels and resorts (22), travel agents (17), entertainment and zoo (five), airline (one) and other agencies (seven).
The Thai pavilion presented the new tourism theme of “Amazing Thailand – Discover Thainess”, divided into three zones that provided information in Chinese and English; a business discussion zone for sellers meet buyers talks and a games and show zone presenting quiz games on Thai tourist attractions.
TAT governor Thawatchai Arunyik said: “Thailand is a popular destination for Chinese visitors because of the visa-on-arrival facilities, short travelling distance and high value-for-money factor. Thailand and China also have much in common in terms of food, culture and ethnic relationships.”
Chinese visitors totalled 4,609,717 in 2013, up 66.95% over 2012. During January to September 2014, Chinese visitors to Thailand totalled 3.09 million, a decline of 17.37% over the same period of 2013, largely due to the political situation in Thailand.
In 2014, TAT forecasts 3.96 million Chinese visitors and revenue of 29.2 billion Yuan (THb157 billion).
With political stability now restored, TAT is planning a major marketing blitz to promote the new campaign “2015 Discover Thainess”.
Aimed largely at the FIT market via increased use of social media, the marketing messages will emphasise a “Creative Tourism” concept, where tourists can immerse themselves in Thai activities such as, Thai boxing, Thai massage, Thai cooking, Thai classical dance, Thai way of life, Thai culture and Thai experience.

sourced:ttrweekly.com