International Travel Fair 2007 in offing
The Thai Travel Agents' Association (TTAA) and the Association of Domestic Travel are scheduled to hold their International Travel Fair 2007 on March 1-4 at Queen Sirikit National Convention Centre. Spending at the fair is expected to reach Bt50 million.
The organisers want the fair to boost the number of Thai tourists taking vacations both in the Kingdom and overseas during the summer season. "The venue will provide tour packages and services as well as ticket discounts at an average of 20-30 per cent to both domestic and international destinations," said TTAA president Anake Srichevachart. The 314 booths are expected to attract more than 100,000 consumers. Anake said the fair would dramatically boost international travel with more destinations and tourist products. He added that turnover at the fair would be 10 per cent up on last year. International tourism authorities planing to lure Thai tourists are those of Japan, India, China, New Zealand and Australia. Japan is promoting the Tohoku region in its north, and the destination is currently negotiating a direct flight from Bangkok with Thai Airways International. Turkish Airways will offer a 20-per-cent reduction on fares. Jet Star Airways will sell 100 round-trip Bangkok-Singapore tickets for Bt1,000 each (excluding fuel surcharge and insurance). Chinese airlines such as China Southern also plan to cut ticket prices between Thailand and China. KTC credit cards will be offering a special promotion. Anake said tourism in Bangkok was now back to normal after the New Year's Eve bombs. The bombs did not affect the outbound market.
Suchat Sritama
The Nation
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