Travel fair packed with bargains

BANGKOK  The 17th edition of Thai Travel International Fair is scheduled for 13 to 16 August at Queen Sirikit National Convention Centre.
Speaking at the pre-event press conference, late last week, Thai Travel Agents Association president, Suparerk Soorangura, said the event should boost tourism for domestic and international markets.
“Travellers can buy quality packages at more than 600 booths for travel during August until the end of this year.”
He added: “Tourism operators such as travel agents, hotels and airlines will cut their package prices and fares by around 5% to 10% during this fair.”
inside no 2“Japan continues to be the hot destination for Thai travellers…but other popular destinations include ASEAN, South Korea, China and Europe.,” he noted.
Border tourism to neighbouring countries such as Laos is also on the increase, he added.
The president said the four-day event will help to boost the economy and domestic tourism that have been sluggish so far this year.
“We expect the country’s tourism will bounce back in the last quarter of this year… the Thai outbound market could reach 6.2 million trips up 7% to 10% from last year. Of that, around 5 million trips will be in Asia, such as Japan, South Korea and China as well as ASEAN.”
On average, Thai spend THB4,800 per day, per person for outbound travel, he said adding that Thai expenditure will keep at this rate due to poor economic conditions that force travellers to be frugal.
The TTAA president affirmed that travel deals at the show would be genuine and provided only by professional and reliable companies.
“We accept only quality tourism operators at this event…we ban any companies that have been blacklisted or involved in a scandal in the past that could impact on traveller confidence.
“Tour operators who sell packages at the event are all our members and are legally registered at the Ministry of Tourism and Sports’ Department of Tourism’s Bureau of Tourism Business and Guide Registration.”
KTC cardholders, who purchase travel for a value of THB1,000, will get two lucky draws to win Suzuki Swift 1.2 worth THB500,000.
Two top spenders of the day will get free two-night stay at Kiroro Resort in Japan and a THAI roundtrip ticket worth THB700,000.
For a spend of THB5,000, cardholders will get Central gift voucher worth THB200. For THB 50,000 they will get an overnight bag worth THB2,490; and for THB150,000 a luggage wheelie worth 5,490.
Held twice annually in February and August, the 17th 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.
TTAA estimates the four-day event will attract 300,000 visitors and generate THB400 million.
TITF is organised by TTAA and the Association of Domestic Travel. Sponsors are: Thai Amadeus Southeast Asia; ThaiVivat Insurance PCL; Krung Thai Bank; 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.com