Bangkok (Thailand) – December 2, 2017 (travelindex.com) – The Thailand Tourism Forum (TTF) will take place for the seventh time on January 22, 2018, bringing together around 650 hotel industry professionals at the InterContinental Hotel Bangkok to discuss the mega-projects that are changing the cityscape of Bangkok.

Under the motto "MEGACITY BANGKOK – A Future Vision for Tourism and Hospitality," TTF 2018 focuses on the revitalization of Thailand's vibrant capital. A number of high-profile speakers will enrich the one-day event, including Mr. Srettha Thavisin, President of Sansiri PLC, one of Thailand's leading hotel and property developers.

Sansiri recently entered the hotel sector, launching the up-and-coming hotel brand Monocle in partnership with Standard Hotels. Mr. Thavisin will be interviewed on stage at the forum and will discuss how “large-scale projects contribute to better tourism experiences.”

He will be accompanied at the event by executives from some of Thailand's largest corporations, leading hotel managers, experts, project developers, financial professionals, and other prominent figures. The opening address will be given by Bill Barnett, co-organizer of the TTF event and CEO of C9 Hotelworks.

“Thailand’s tourism industry continues to boom, with record numbers of international visitors eager to experience the country’s many attractions,” said Mr. Barnett. “As the capital and a major international gateway, Bangkok is rapidly developing into one of the world’s greatest metropolises.”

“However, to maintain these visitor numbers, Bangkok needs comprehensive redevelopment measures. Massive infrastructure projects are expanding into more and more districts, creating new tourist hotspots such as the area around the Chao Phraya River. At TTF 2018, we will learn firsthand about the ambitious plans for Bangkok’s revitalized cityscape and examine their impact on the tourism and hospitality sector,” Mr. Barnett added.

Thailand's tourism industry is heading for another record year. According to the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT), the kingdom welcomed 17.3 million international visitors in the first half of 2017, generating revenue of 876 billion THB (US$25 billion). Tourism revenue for the full year is expected to reach a record 1.81 trillion THB (US$50 billion).

This rising demand also strengthens confidence in Thailand's hotel sector; according to STR, there are currently around 100 new hotels in the planning stages, which will potentially add 21,600 new rooms to the national stock – many of them in Bangkok.

However, challenges remain: Thailand's transport infrastructure is struggling to cope with the influx of tourists, hoteliers face fierce competition, and the average daily rate (ADR) continues to be under pressure. So what does the future hold for Bangkok? Numerous multi-billion-dollar projects, including transport links, mega-shopping malls, attractions, hotels, and residential complexes, are transforming the cityscape and present both opportunities and risks.

The TTF 2018 addresses all these topics and offers a comprehensive, insightful program with discussions, debates, and presentations. The forum concludes with an evening networking event and a cocktail reception.

In addition to Srettha Thavisin, President of Sansiri PLC, speakers and panelists at TTF 2018 include Dillip Rajakarier, CEO of Minor Hotel Group; Nikhom Jensiriratanakorn, Director of Horwath HTL; Thomas Schmelter, Director of Operations for Thailand and Indochina at IHG; KC Moy, Executive Vice President of Capella Hotel Group; Mike Batchelor, Managing Director of Investment Sales for Asia at JLL; Jesper Palmqvist, Area Director for Asia-Pacific at STR; Caroline Cheah, General Manager of the Shangri-La Hotel in Bangkok; and many more.