Bangkok (Thailand) – May 10, 2017 (travelindex.com) – In addition to state-of-the-art venues, professionalism and planning expertise, much of the success of the recent WTTC Global Summit in Bangkok was due to the Thai touch and unique local Thai experiences offered to all delegates at this high-profile global event.

An international event on the Thai stage: The world's largest travel event, the Global Summit of the World Travel and Tourism Council (WTTC), took place for the first time in Southeast Asia and was hosted by the Ministry of Tourism and Sports and the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT).

More than 800 delegates from 58 countries, including heads of state and government, ministers, and leading figures and professionals from the tourism industry, visited Bangkok from April 26 to 27, 2017, to discuss the future of the sector. The event's great success was due in part to the authentic Thai atmosphere, the festive gala dinner, and the unforgettable excursions organized by the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT).

As the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) is currently promoting unique on-site Thai experiences, the delegates enjoyed a diverse range of Thai activities and traditional entertainment. The welcome gala dinner on April 26 featured Thai dances and music, Muay Thai demonstrations, Thai snacks and drinks, and a presentation of local arts and crafts. The TAT also enabled the delegates and their partners to explore Thailand's rich history and traditional way of life in Bangkok and the provinces.

The warm hospitality and open welcome of the Thai people contributed to a friendly atmosphere that ensured the WTTC summit was held in the spirit of international cooperation. This is always a plus at global summits and underlines why the Kingdom is the ideal location for international events.

Why Bangkok was the perfect venue: Bangkok has been one of the world's most popular travel destinations for years and was the gateway to the world for most of the nearly 32 million tourists who visited Thailand in 2016. Therefore, the city was the obvious choice for an international event like the WTTC Global Summit.

Thailand has much to offer tourists: a fascinating history, wonderful cuisine, stunning beaches, and warm-hearted people. Bangkok, with its renowned luxury hotels, world-class meeting and conference centers, and experience hosting international events, is particularly attractive to organizers. After the summit, this vibrant metropolis also offers conference participants and their partners a diverse range of entertainment and shopping options.

A demanding event that ran smoothly. With so many high-ranking government officials, international diplomats, and heads of state and government coming to Bangkok for the 2017 WTTC Summit, organization, security arrangements, and schedules had to be planned months in advance. This ensured that the processes were not only first-class but also tried and tested, guaranteeing the event's smooth and successful execution. And all this had to happen while Bangkok and its citizens continued their normal daily lives.

The expertise and professionalism of the experienced Thai conference planners, as well as the successful integration of the public and private sectors, impressed the delegates. These included David Cameron, former Prime Minister of Great Britain; Dr. Taleb Rifai, Secretary-General of the UNWTO; and ministers and high-ranking representatives from tourism and related sectors from 13 countries, including Cambodia, Indonesia, Jamaica, Kenya, Malaysia, Mexico, Myanmar, the Philippines, South Korea, the USA, Vietnam, and Zimbabwe. Also present were Gerald Lawless, Chairman of the WTTC; David Scowsill, President and CEO of the WTTC; and executives from numerous of the world's largest tourism companies.

A world of possibilities opens up. The delegates' praise for the WTTC Global Summit 2017 should further solidify Thailand's position as a premier destination for hosting high-profile international conferences and events. The success of the 2017 summit also demonstrated Thailand's ability to host unforgettable events, providing both delegates and organizers with security, entertainment, and Thai luxury.

The TAT expects that the high international reputation of the WTTC Global Summit will make Thailand even more attractive to other organizers who want to host events with a unique Thai flair.

International Public Relations Department, Tourism Authority of Thailand, 1600 New Petchaburi Road, Makkasan, Ratchathevi, Bangkok 10400, Thailand, Tel.: +66 (0) 2250 5500 ext. 4545-48, Fax: +66 (0) 2250 0246