Sellers happy with TTM

BANGKOK  Sellers generally were supportive of the Thailand Travel Mart Plus 2015, saying it was a useful channel to build business and network, but the criticism of buyers and the timing of the event remain critical issues to resolve.
Ravindra Beach Resort & Spa Marketing & PR manager, Filipina Suwansaenee, reflected a common thread in the evaluation saying buyer selection could be improved.
“We know TAT is doing a good job, but the buyer invitations need to be constantly re-evaluated. The timing is also a critical factor. June is just about the earliest time to discuss business with buyers from Australia and the US, but it far too late for Europe.”
The manager added: “It would be more interesting to have TTM at around Songkhran (April) in Thailand and it does not have to be hosted in Bangkok.
inside no 2“If TAT would like to take it to another level and does not mind extra work, Thailand could stage a regional travel mart which would induce additional sellers from the region (Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia).”
Two years ago, there were discussions with World Travel Market to take over the management of TTM and turn it into a regional trade show to compete with ITB Asia. But the timing was off and a subsequent military coup in Thailand put the project on ice.
Ravindra Beach Resort & Spa is a five-Star luxurious beach-front resort located on Na Jomtien Beach just 15 minutes drive from Pattaya city.
Attending TTM this year for the third time, Khaoyai Nature Life & Tours manager, Siraphat Thongsiri said she wanted to see the show’s quality improve. TAT should look into new markets and new buyers. There are some hosted buyers who have not intention of selling tours to Thailand.
“Some buyers who make it clear they are not interested in serious business discussions. When we make an appointment with them they just want to meet us and get us to sign that they had kept the schedule…they don’t want to talk business.”
But the show had a much stronger theme this year, with the Thainess campaign helping sellers to focus.
“We promoted a Thai farmer life style trip…ox-cart riding. We will also promote bird watching and bird photography tours focusing on overseas markets (95%) and Thais (5%). We will offer promotion in case of group booking special discount for tour rate (depend on group size) 5% to 15%, ” she said.

sourced:ttrweekly.com