London (England) – November 8, 2017 (travelindex.com) – The Tourism Authority of Thailand will use World Travel Market 2017 (WTM), one of the world's leading travel trade shows, as a platform to introduce its new marketing concept “Open to the New Shades of Thailand”.

WTM London, now in its 37th year, will attract almost 5,000 exhibitors from the destinations, technology and private sectors, who will network with 51,000 travel professionals, key industry buyers, journalists, digital influencers, students and tourism ministers.

The Thai pavilion at WTM this year features a total of 35 exhibitors, including 29 Thai hotels, 4 tour operators, 1 airline, and 1 other tourism agency. Numerous other Thai companies are participating with their own pavilions. These include Bangkok Airways and the Thai Sports Authority, which will be offering sports tourism products such as "Muay Thai Angel" (Thai female boxers) and information about the MotoGP World Championship in October 2018 at the Buri Ram Circuit.

The WTM is considered the ideal platform for launching the new TAT campaign, "Open to the new facets of Thailand." This campaign aims to reflect a different kind of "Thailand," namely the unique ability of Thai people to welcome visitors of all races from around the world.

Specific target groups are being addressed, such as luxury travelers, honeymooners, female travelers, families, and Generation Y. Twenty-seven TAT overseas offices are working with partners and tour operators to convert the campaign into substantial sales targeting specific customer segments.

The Thai pavilion at WTM has been elegantly designed and reflects the new campaign. It showcases outstanding handicrafts specially designed by the Support Arts and Crafts International Centre of Thailand (SACICT). These include Ko-Kret ceramics and silverware from Benjarong and Sukhothai.

The opening ceremony of the Thai pavilion will take place on November 6, 2017. The Minister of Tourism and Sports, the Royal Thai Ambassador to London, the Chairman of the TAT Board, the Governor of the Tourism Authority of Thailand, as well as Thai and foreign media representatives will attend the event.

At the Thailand Networking Lunch, the Deputy Governor of the TAT for Marketing Communications, Mr. Tanes Petsuwan, will provide attendees with comprehensive information on the current state of Thai tourism, as well as on the tourism products and services to be presented under the marketing theme “Open to the New Shades of Thailand”.

Her Royal Highness Princess Ubolratana Rajakanya Sirivadhana Barnavadi will also present the Thailand Green Excellence Awards 2017 to six Thai tourism products and attractions at an event on November 6.

The “Amazing Thailand Happy Hour” will take place on November 7, 2017, in the Thai pavilion. This exclusive event offers selected Thai tourism exhibitors (sellers) the opportunity to meet with 300 specially invited tour operators (buyers), media representatives, and VIP guests to network and build business relationships.

Thai food will be served, accompanied by musical entertainment from the Suanplu Chorus Orchestra. The event is open to agents and media representatives.

The UK is Thailand's second most important European market, and many Britons are very familiar with Thailand. From January to September 2017, Thailand welcomed 723,438 visitors from the UK. The total number of arrivals from the UK is estimated at 990,000.

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