Thai travel fair almost sold out

BANGKOK The 20th edition of Thai International Travel Fair will be hosted, 15 to 19 February, at Queen Sirikit National Convention Centre.

Speaking at the pre-event press conference, last Friday, Thai Travel Agents Association president, Suparerk Soorangura, said the 20th edition of TITF is being is organised to stimulate tourism, both domestic and outbound.

“The fair has been hosted for 14 years and continues to gain good feedback…for this edition we expect the fair will cover 21,000 sqm at the QSNCC halls.”

In recent times the fair increased from annual to twice yearly, hosted in February and August, to capture the peak season travel months for Thai families, linked to school holidays.

He said: “97% of booths are sold out… we expect there will 1,200 booths presenting products at the fair.”

The booths are sold to hotels, resorts, travel agents, airlines, cruise companies, car rental companies, theme parks, tourism organisations, banks and travel insurance companies.

“The event helps to open opportunities for tourism operators to sell domestic and international packages …also fair goers can update tourism information from 21 national tourism organiastions and over 100 booths under the Tourism Authority of Thailand.”

Consumers can also source travel deals buy packages and hotel stays knowing the products are guaranteed as all travel-related companies exhibiting must be association members.

Tour operators must also be registered with the Ministry of Tourism and Sports’ Department of Tourism’s Bureau of Tourism Business and Guide Registration.

The president added: “Asia and ASEAN play a major role for Thai customers…Japan continues to be a top destination for Thai travellers due to tourism promotions and visa exemption for Thais as well as low cost airlines keeping fares down.”

Besides Bangkok, the event will also be held during the same week in Chiang Mai, Udon Thani, and Phuket to boost tourism across the country.

Most of the discounted travel packages will be valid for March to July this year.

TTAA estimates the five-day event will attract 400,000 consumers generating THB500 million, the president said.

KTC cardholders, who purchase travel for a value of THB5,000, will get Central, Robinson or Starbuck gift voucher worth THB100.

For a spend of THB20,000, they will get a bag with a vacuum bottle and a glass worth THB680 or folding chair worth THB990.

For a spend of THB50,000, cardholders will get an overnight bag worth THB2,490 or a luggage wheelie worth 5,490 or a folding bike worth THB4,880.

TITF is organised by TTAA and the Association of Domestic Travel. Sponsors are: Thai Amadeus Southeast Asia; Krung Thai Bank and Thailand Convention and Exhibition Bureau. Supported by 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.

The event is held twice annually in February and August.