More buyers sign up for TTM

21 Apr 2017 2072 | World Travel News

BANGKOK The Thailand Travel Mart 2017 Plus Amazing Gateway to the Greater Mekong Subregion (TTM+ 2017) is on track to achieve a record turnout of buyers by the time it opens 14 June in Chiang Mai.

The trade show will be hosted, 14 to 16 June, in the Chiang Mai International Exhibition and Convention Centre (CMECC), a brand new facility designed to drive events business to the northern Thailand city.

Due to be hosted for the second time in a row in the northern capital of Thailand, the show has already attracted 480 international buyers registered from 64 countries and 354 sellers from Thailand and the GMS countries.

As of 11 April, the largest group of buyers for TTM+ 2017 comes from Europe (182), followed by East Asia (137), ASEAN (42), Americas (38), Oceania (29), the Middle East (11), and Thailand (41).

Although final numbers will be established closer to the opening date, so far it is the highest turnout ever, compared with 343 buyers in 2016 and the 440 buyers in 2008.

The registration of 354 sellers is also higher than the 342 recorded in 2016. The sellers comprise of hotels and resorts (272), tour operators and travel agents (30), GMS (14), entertainment (11), sustainable tourism (eight), associations (six), NTOs (five), transportation (four), and other travel services (four).

Tourism Authority of Thailand governor, Yuthasak Supasorn, said: “This is a clear indication of the high level of interest in Thailand and northern Thailand in particular. We are now finalising some very interesting events, activities and tours for buyers, which I am sure will go a long way towards helping them better promote Chiang Mai and northern Thailand to their clients.”

Now in its 16th consecutive year, this year’s TTM+ will have a theme of “Delivering Unique Experiences”.

The event will open14 June at 1330 followed by a forum for sellers and buyers and then a local tourism product presentation. The trade show will be held 14 to 16 June at the CMECC.

In the evening of 14 June, the welcome reception will be held at CMECC. On 15 June, a “Lanna Night” reception will be hosted by the Upper Northern Provincial Cluster. The “TTM+ 2017: Thank You Party” will be held on 16 June at CMECC in the early evening to close the show.

The decision to host the event in Chiang Mai for a second year running is part of the TAT’s strategy to balance the distribution of visitors nationwide.