Bangkok (Thailand) – February 23, 2016 (travelindex) – GTA has announced a groundbreaking strategic partnership with the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) to promote luxury travel to Thailand.

At the “g meet 2016” summit at the InterContinental Hotel Bangkok today, a historic travel partnership was announced between the GTA (Greater Thailand Association), the Tourism Authority of Thailand and a number of global tourism leaders from Thailand’s largest source markets in Asia-Pacific, the Middle East and Africa.

Leading figures from the travel and technology sectors, including AccorHotels, AIS, Caissa Touristic, Compass Hospitality, Derbysoft, Far East Hospitality, Flight Centre, JTB, MakeMyTrip, Metglobal, Minor Hotel Group, Onyx Hospitality Group, SiteMinder, Starwood Hotels & Resorts, Thai Airways, Tuniu and the Tourism Authority of Thailand, met at the GTA g meet 2016 summit to discuss “the future prospects of travel” and “the future of travel intermediaries”.

Thailand's popularity as a travel destination has increased rapidly in recent years. According to the Thai Ministry of Tourism and Sports, the country recorded a total of 29.9 million international visitors in 2015 – an increase of over 20% compared to 2014. To boost revenue and average length of stay, Thailand is increasingly focusing on the luxury market. This reflects the trend of Thailand becoming attractive to discerning travelers. The 17% increase in the average daily rate (ADR) in the luxury segment confirms this, as reported by the Thai tourism consultancy C9 Hotelworks.

Ivan Walter, CEO of GTA, said: “Thailand is one of the most sought-after and dynamic travel destinations in the world. Therefore, it is only fitting that we are here today to announce such an important partnership with the Tourism Authority of Thailand and to be surrounded by many of the world’s most influential travel providers, travel agencies, technology partners and hotels.”

“We believe that through our partnership we can encourage more discerning travelers to visit Thailand and enjoy authentic travel experiences – luxurious accommodations and individual, unique excursions on site. Above all, we want people to have positive experiences with Thai culture, its nature and its greatest treasure – the Thai people.”

The deputy governor of the Tourism Authority of Thailand, Juthaporn Rerngronasa, said she was touched by the strong support from the industry – led by the GTA – to help Thailand develop its tourism business in the important luxury segment.

“We are delighted to be working with GTA to position Thailand as a luxury travel destination. We thank GTA for bringing key industry representatives to Bangkok so they could experience the diverse luxury experiences our country offers firsthand and see its unique opportunities. We are confident that this strategic partnership with GTA, one of the world’s most influential providers of travel content and experiences, will be a great success.”

GTA, which celebrated its 41st anniversary in 2016, is part of the Kuoni Group. GTA's success as a leading travel company for individual travelers (FIT) is based on years of industry experience, a sound financial position, a global presence, and the expertise of its employees. GTA has long connected travel providers with hotel partners, offering an unparalleled selection at the best possible prices thanks to its reliable technology. Worldwide, the travel industry books nearly 14 million overnight stays annually through GTA, relying on its expertise in providing comprehensive customer support from booking to arrival at the holiday destination and beyond.

Media inquiries: Kevin Khor, Head of Marketing Asia GTA, [email protected], Tel.: +65 6500 1764 / Mobile: +65 9002 7250