Bangkok (Thailand) – October 15, 2015 (travelindex) – The first travel blog exchange in Asia will take place from October 15 to 17, 2015 at the Queen Sirikit National Convention Centre (QSNCC) in Bangkok. The event will begin on the afternoon of October 15 with a press conference where Thailand will present its suitability as a host country to the world.

The highly anticipated international conference offers three days packed with activities centered around travel blogging, as well as pre- and post-conference tours where participants can experience Thailand up close. The program includes guest lectures and sessions by well-known bloggers and online authors, providing opportunities for networking and exchanging ideas on the latest industry trends.

The Travel Blog Exchange Asia (TBEX Asia) is jointly sponsored by the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT), the Convention and Exhibition Bureau of Thailand (TCEB), the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA), Thai Airways International Public Co., Ltd. (THAI), and True Corporation Public Co., Ltd. The SUPPORT Arts and Crafts International Centre of Thailand (SACICT) also supports the project to promote traditional Thai arts and crafts worldwide.

At the press conference, Yuthasak Supasorn, Governor of the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT), stated: “Thailand is delighted to welcome over 600 talented bloggers and online writers from around the world to TBEX Asia 2015. The TAT will use this opportunity to promote its successful ‘Discover Thainess’ campaign, which highlights the unique aspects of Thailand and showcases the country’s twelve hidden gems. We hope the event will be both enjoyable and productive for attendees and will further enhance Thailand’s reputation as a premier destination for world-class events of all types and sizes.”

Mary Jo Manzanares, Conference Director of TBEX, said: “Thailand is a wonderful destination for all types of travelers and the gateway to Asia. Therefore, it seemed the ideal location for our first TBEX event on the continent. TBEX was founded to provide a space for bloggers to meet and exchange ideas about the travel industry. Our wonderful hosts in Thailand have put together a fantastic program of activities and excursions before and after the event, so we are looking forward to a great event.”

Hosting TBEX Asia 2015 is one of the greatest achievements of the Thai MICE industry and should help to attract even more of the world's most prestigious congresses.

Ms. Supawan Teerarat, Vice President for Strategic and Business Development at TCEB, said: “The event will not only boost the Thai economy by more than 50 million baht, but will also help promote Thailand’s capabilities and readiness to blog readers and tourists around the world by showcasing the diversity of destinations, world-class infrastructure and transport links in the Kingdom.”

Bangkok's Deputy Governor, Amorn Kitchawengkul, said: "I am proud that Thailand has been chosen to host this important international event. Bangkok is the perfect venue, as the city has made tremendous progress in recent years in investing in infrastructure and tourism facilities. Bangkok is now a top destination for business events, and visitors will find a cultural melting pot and one of the most modern and impressive cities in the world."

Mr. Chutintorn Srisittikum, Vice President of the E-Commerce and Additional Marketing Department of Thai Airways Public Company Limited, said: “As the national airline of the Kingdom, it is a matter of course for us to support major tourism events. TBEX Asia is the largest event of its kind for bloggers and travel journalists in the new media. We are pleased to contribute to helping event attendees discover even more of Thailand and Southeast Asia by providing tickets and special offers.”

Dr. Kittinut Tikawan, Head of Global Commercial and Business Development at True Corporation Public Co., Ltd., said: “Media representatives and travel journalists today rely on fast communication and networking to tell their stories. Therefore, True is the ideal sponsor of TBEX Asia 2015. We warmly welcome all participants and hope they will use our unique range of integrated communication services and solutions during the event and also on their travels abroad to report on the wonders of Thailand.”

TBEX Asia 2015 also provides SACICT with an important platform to showcase some of the stunning Thai handicrafts produced using techniques passed down through generations by some of Thailand's most respected artists.

Ms. Amparwan Pichalai, Executive Director of SUPPORT Arts and Crafts International Centre of Thailand (a non-profit organization), said: “SACICT is celebrating its 12th anniversary in November 2015, and we would like to mark this special occasion by inviting the world to experience ‘being Thai’ firsthand. They can do this by exploring the Thai way of life and joining all Thais who are proud of the precious and timeless elements of our culture.”

On the evening of October 15th, the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) is hosting a welcome reception for Loi Krathong. This gives bloggers the opportunity to participate in one of our famous festivals and experience Thai culture in advance, as the actual event doesn't take place until the end of November.

TBEX Asia 2015 will strengthen Thailand's international image and further promote the already successful "Discover Thainess" campaign. Social media plays a vital role in the Thai tourism sector. Travelers use the internet to purchase travel products, read travel reports, and book hotels and tours. This word-of-mouth advertising through bloggers and online authors is one of the key factors in Thailand having already recorded 23 million visitors by October 15, 2015. The target of 28.8 million visitors is expected to be exceeded.

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) 2253 7419, E-mail: [email protected], Website: www.TATnews.org