Bangkok (Thailand) – November 16, 2016 (travelindex) – Thailand’s leading hotel investment event will discuss the critical issues that challenge and drive the Thai hotel industry at the 5th edition of the annual Thailand Tourism Forum (TTF 2016), which will take place on Monday, January 25.

The keynote speaker at the Thailand Tourism Forum 2016 is renowned hotel investor Kenneth Gaw, President and Managing Partner of Gaw Capital Partners. For a high-resolution version, click here.

The TTF 2016 is organized by C9 Hotelworks and the American Chamber of Commerce and takes place from 3:00 PM to 6:00 PM in the Grand Ballroom of the InterContinental Hotel Bangkok. Many of the industry's leading speakers and thought leaders will be presenting.

Last year, the event attracted 450 delegates to the afternoon session, followed by a cocktail reception. Organizers expect a higher number of participants this year.

“The event offers strong and relevant content that shapes the hotel industry in Thailand, and we expect some lively and insightful presentations,” said Bill Barnett, Managing Director of C9 Hotelworks.

“There has been a dynamic shift in geographic source markets towards Thailand’s top tourist destinations, prompting hoteliers to consider the future. This trend is best illustrated by Phuket, Thailand’s leading resort, where the collapse of the Russian ruble and the surge in Chinese tourists have dramatically impacted average room rates,” he said. “These are some of the topics we will be discussing.”

According to new data from STR Global, Phuket saw a 73% increase in occupancy rates year-to-date through September, representing growth of just over 7% compared to the same period last year. At the same time, the average daily price across the market fell by 7.5%.

“In this case, it’s one step forward followed by two steps back, as hotel owners struggle with declining profits,” said Jesper Palmqvist, Area Director Asia Pacific at STR Global, who will present the full details of STR Global’s latest study on the hotel industry in Thailand.

The opening keynote address at TTF 2016 will be given by Kenneth Gaw, President and Managing Partner of Gaw Capital Partners. Gaw has long been a significant player in the Thai market, both through Pioneer Global Group and other subsidiaries. His investments include stakes in Dusit Thani PLC, Pullman G Hotels in Bangkok and Pattaya, and the soon-to-open Park Hyatt Phuket. Other keynote speakers include representatives from Minor Hotels, InterContinental, Accor, Centara, and Onyx, as well as prominent experts from Horwath HTL, JLL Hotels, STR Global, and QUO.

“The tourism and hotel sector faces increasing volatility due to growing reliance on mass markets, currency fluctuations, overburdened infrastructure, and stagnant economic growth. But is bad news the only news?” Mr. Barnett added.

"A clear picture is emerging of how airport arrivals have recovered following the Bangkok bombing, and Thailand's year-on-year figures are showing signs of recovery. However, given the growing concern about the downturn in China's financial markets and the changing conditions of a shifting visitor profile, the question remains how hotels can maintain a balance between stable room rates and high occupancy rates."

The Thailand Tourism Forum (TTF) is Thailand's largest event for hospitality investment and serves as a barometer of the industry's sentiment. It offers a unique opportunity to openly discuss the economic impact of current changes with leading figures and experts in the sector. The TTF is a forum to analyze the figures in detail, assess risks, and learn more about key emerging trends in tourism development across all Thai destinations.

About C9 Hotelworks: C9 Hotelworks is led by founder and CEO Bill Barnett, who brings over 30 years of experience in the Asian hotel and real estate industry. Prior to founding C9 in 2003, Bill held senior positions in hotel operations, development, and asset management. He is recognized as a leading global expert on hotel residences and has held virtually every relevant position in the hotel and real estate sectors. Bill shares industry insights through regular conference presentations at key events and contributes articles to numerous trade publications. www.c9hotelworks.com

The full program can be found here: Participation is free. To register, please visit www.amchamthailand.com, send an email to [email protected], or call us at (+66) 02-254-1041, ext. 212.

For further information, please contact: Bill Barnett, Managing Director, C9 Hotelworks, Tel.: +66 (0)8 1956 1802, Email: [email protected]