Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) welcomed a global contingent of 425-plus buyers, including 21 Aussie and Kiwi travel trade and media, to its recent annual Thailand Travel Mart Plus (TTM+ 2024) trade networking event at JW Marriott Khao Lak in Phang Nga.
For its 21st event, the TTM+ 2024 theme was ‘Amazing Thailand: Your Stories Never End’, reflecting the latest TAT marketing campaign.
TTM+ facilitated 15,000 appointments between a record number of global buyers and 430 sellers from across Thailand along with pre-and post-event tours, gala events and the grand opening of new luxury resort The Little Shore.
Exhibitors included hotels and resorts, tour operators, entertainment venues and attractions, transportation carriers and online platforms.
Focus on meaningful travel and sustainable tourism
This year’s TTM+ message focused on sharing meaningful travel experiences with a strong focus on sustainable tourism development. Phang Nga is poised to be Thailand’s next tourism hub with an international airport set to open in 2027.
The Australian contingent sampled some meaningful local experiences before and after the event, attending tours in Phuket, Khao Lak and Krabi as well as half-day tours in Phang Nga.
At the Thailand Product Update, buyers and media were briefed on Thailand’s tourism direction and marketing strategy and the focus on sustainability with TTM Talk topics including Global Consumer Trends and Thailand’s Sustainable Food Future.
TAT Governor Thapanee Kiatphaibool, who took a turn on the DJ deck at the La Vela event, said: “The TTM+ 2024 has been conceptualised to showcase diverse tourism offerings and our ‘smart tourism’ strategy, which is aimed at elevating Thai tourism’s competitiveness.”
Organisers estimate TTM+ will generate over three billion baht (around AUD$123 million) to Thailand’s tourism industry and distribute at least 30 million baht (AUD$1.2 million) back to the communities.
2024 Thailand tourism outlook
Thailand welcomed 28.15 million international visitors in 2023, below its previous record of 39.8 million in 2019 but well above the 11.07 million in 2022.
Australian travellers achieved 90 per cent of pre-COVID visitation to Thailand in 2023 with this year’s numbers expected to overtake these figures with greater airlift capacity.
Jetstar recently announced the return of direct flights from Brisbane to Thailand later this year.
