Chiang Mai (Thailand) – June 8, 2016 (travelindex.com) – The Thailand Travel Mart 2016 Plus Amazing Gateway to the Greater Mekong Subregion (TTM+ 2016) opened today in Chiang Mai, the capital of northern Thailand, with over 850 delegates from 55 countries in attendance. The three-day event, the largest travel trade show of its kind in Thailand, is being held from June 8 to 10, 2016, at the state-of-the-art Chiang Mai International Exhibition and Convention Centre (CMECC).

The decision to hold TTM+ in Chiang Mai was a very strategic one, as the entire region of northern and northeastern Thailand is intended to become an important bridgehead between Thailand and its neighboring countries Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar and Vietnam.

To mark the launch of ASEAN integration, which came into effect this year, high-level tourism managers from Thailand, Cambodia, Laos, Vietnam and Myanmar will hold a joint press conference at TTM+ 2016 to discuss the theme “CLMVT Link: Prospering Together”.

Mr. Yuthasak Supasorn, Governor of the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT), said: “I am very pleased to have the opportunity to meet all the key figures in the Thai tourism industry in person, especially our international partners. This is my first TTM+ since taking office as Governor of the TAT in 2015. In planning this year’s event, we set out to make it unique and distinctive. The special content shows that we will achieve this goal.”

This year marks the 15th consecutive TTM+ event, held under the motto "Smile with us," which represents friendship, joy, happiness, and hospitality. It harmonizes with the new "Amazing Thailand" logo, which symbolizes the most recognizable characteristic of the Thai people – the smile.

The event, which is to be held at the Chiang Mai International Exhibition and Convention Centre (CMECC), has so far registered 345 vendors from Thailand and the GMS countries, 305 buyers from 55 countries, 110 trade visitors and over 100 international and local media representatives.

China provides the largest contingent with 43 buyers, followed by the UK (27), Australia (21), India (17), Italy (15), South Africa (13), and Russia (11). A smaller group of high-profile buyers was also invited from emerging markets such as Lithuania, Moldova, and Ukraine.

The providers include hotels and resorts (265), tour operators and travel agencies (24), entertainment companies (8), transport companies (3), national tourism organizations (4), the Greater Mekong Region (14) and other travel service providers (27).

TTM+ 2016 will open with a presentation by HRH Kobkarn Wattanavrangkul, Thailand's Minister of Tourism and Sports, on the potential of sports tourism in Thailand. This will be followed by a forum for suppliers and buyers, where Dr. Surin Pitsuwan, former Minister of Foreign Affairs of Thailand and former Secretary-General of ASEAN, will speak on the topic "The ASEAN Brand... Stronger Together".

Following Dr. Surin's presentation, a second session will take place on the topic of "OTA: An Inconvenient Truth." Speakers include Daryl Lee, Regional Vice President of Sales and Marketing for Asia-Pacific, the Middle East, and Africa at GTA, and Deepak Ohri, CEO of Le Bua Hotels and Resorts. The session will be moderated by Joseph Wang, Chief Commercial Officer of Travel Daily.

Later in the evening, a welcoming reception will be held, presided over by HRH General Tanasak Patimapragorn, the Deputy Prime Minister. The theme of the reception is "Thai Lanna" (a unique historical culture of Northern Thailand). In addition to Thai classical music and a cultural performance, there will also be presentations from Cambodia and Myanmar.

A joint press conference entitled “CLMVT Partnership: Achieving Success Together” will be held on June 9th. The following representatives of the CLMVT countries have confirmed their participation: 1) Mr. Try Chhiv, Deputy Director-General of the Cambodian Ministry of Tourism, 2) Ms. Manisakhone Thammavongxay, Head of the Public Relations Department of the Laotian Ministry of Information, Culture and Tourism, 3) Ms. Daw Khin Than Win, Deputy Director-General of the Myanmar Ministry of Hotels and Tourism, 4) Mr. Vu Nam, Deputy Director-General of the Tourism Marketing Department of the Vietnamese Tourism Authority, and 5) Mr. Yuthasak Supasorn, Governor of the Thai Tourism Authority.

On June 9th, a reception themed "Lanna Night" will be held at the Chiang Mai Grandview Convention Centre, hosted by the Upper Northern Provincial Cluster. The "TTM+ 2016" thank-you celebration will take place on June 10th. In addition to the trade show from June 8th to 10th at the CMECC, six free demonstrations will be offered on June 7th, showcasing the culture, heritage, folklore, cuisine, products, and facilities of "Thai Lanna".

Three extension trips were offered to participants of TTM+ 2016, allowing them to visit other destinations, including Chiang Mai, Lampang, Lamphun, Phuket, and Phang Nga. One five-day trip also included Thailand and Myanmar.

The main sponsors of TTM+ 2016 are Thai Airways International, Bangkok Airways, Pelican Hotel Solutions, King Power International and the Thailand Convention and Exhibition Bureau.

Between January and April 2016, Thailand recorded a record 11.7 million visitors, an increase of 14.12% compared to the same period the previous year, according to figures released by the Ministry of Tourism and Sports. China remains the leading source of tourists with 3.44 million arrivals, a rise of 27.35% compared to the same period in 2015.

Visitor numbers amounted to 7.63 million from East Asia and ASEAN (+17.26%), 2.52 million from Europe (+8.89%), 502,627 from the Americas (+13.76%), 459,157 from South Asia (+8.72%), 226,973 from the Middle East (+11.36%) and 51,566 from Africa (+6.44%).

For more information, please visit www.thailandtravelmartplus.com

Contact information: International Public Relations Department, Tourism Authority of Thailand, Tel.: +66 (0) 2250 5500 ext. 4545-48, Fax: +66 (0) 2250 0246, E-mail: [email protected], Website: www.tatnews.org, Facebook: TAT Newsroom, Twitter: TAT Newsroom, Instagram: TAT Newsroom