Thailand Travel Mart Plus opens in Chiang Mai

The Thailand Travel Mart Plus opened this week in the country’s northern capital, Chiang Mai, attracting more than 850 delegates from 55 countries, with ASEAN integration and sports tourism dominating this year’s agenda.

Now in its 15th consecutive year, the three-day event — the largest travel trade show of its kind in Thailand — was held this year at the recently built Chiang Mai International Exhibition and Convention Centre (CMECC).

The decision to hold the TTM Plus in Chiang Mai was a strategic one with the entire North and Northeast Thailand region set to become a major connector between Thailand and its neighbouring countries of Cambodia, Lao PDR., Myanmar, and Vietnam.

Celebrating the launch of the ASEAN integration that took effect this year, senior tourism executives of Thailand, Cambodia, Lao PDR., Vietnam, and Myanmar held a joint press conference to discuss the theme, “CLMVT Link: Prosper Together.”

A stronger ASEAN integration brand reflected the TTM Plus, “Smile with Us” theme — an intermix of friendship, enjoyment, happiness and hospitality that is in line with the new logo of “Amazing Thailand”.

Sports tourism is set to be the next big thing, according to Thailand’s Minister of Tourism and Sports, H.E. Kobkarn Wattanavrangkul, who opened TTM Plus with a presentation on Thailand’s Sports Tourism potential, outlining the country’s plan to become the “dream destination for sports”.

In planning this year’s TTM Plus Mr Yuthasak Supasorn, Governor of the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) said they promised to make the event unique, different and distinctive.

“The unique content indicates that this objective will be achieved,” he said.

“I am very excited to have the opportunity to meet personally everyone who’s anyone in Thailand’s travel industry scene, especially our overseas partners.”

Among the reported delegates registered at the event were 345 sellers from Thailand and the GMS countries, 305 international buyers, 110 trade visitors, as well as over 100 international and local media.

China had the largest contingent of 43 buyers, followed by the United Kingdom with 27. Australia was well represented with the third largest contingent at TTM+ with 21 buyers.

The major sponsors of this year’s event were Thai Airways International, Bangkok Airways, Pelican Hotel Solutions, King Power International, and the Thailand Convention and Exhibition Bureau.

Group photo

Top (left to right) – Ryan Delzoppo (Lastminute.com), Cristina Cali (Fusion Holidays), Mark Luckey (Rooms XML), Sherly Handjojo (TAT Sydney), Christopher Reid (Alma Travel), H.E. Kobkarn Wattanavrangkul (Thailand’s Minister of Tourism and Sports), Melina Gouveia (Travel Weekly), Brittney Levinson (ETB Travel News), Rujiras Chatchalermkit (TAT Sydney), Rohanna Adamy (Asia Escape Holidays), Passawan Promsawat (TAT Sydney), Kuntida Noenuirai (TAT Sydney)

Bottom (left to right) – Dan Penner (Viator), David Bassett (Flight Centre), Judy Anglim (Infinity Holidays), Judy Atha (Pinpoint Travel Group), Rod Carrington (Ignite Travel Group)

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Email the Travel Weekly team at traveldesk@travelweekly.com.au

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