Bangkok (Thailand) – May 2, 2017 (travelindex.com) – Thailand’s recent hosting of the WTTC Global Summit 2017 from April 26-27 impressed the world’s tourism industry leaders and helped demonstrate the Kingdom’s ability to organize seamless large-scale events, cater to the needs of high-level delegates, and ensure successful events with a touch of unique local Thai experiences.

Gerald Lawless, Chairman of the WTTC, stated that the summit successfully achieved its objectives as a central platform for leading figures in the global tourism industry to exchange ideas and debate industry-relevant issues. “I would like to express my gratitude to our sponsors and hosts, the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) and the Minister of Tourism and Sports. We have heard much about the hospitality of the Thai people and have been able to experience so much of it ourselves over the past few days.”

This year, former British Prime Minister David Cameron delivered the opening address at the summit, which was opened by Thailand's Prime Minister General Prayut Chan-o-cha. Other high-profile speakers included Dr. Taleb Rifai, Secretary-General of the United Nations World Tourism Organization. The event attracted over 800 delegates, including prominent figures from politics, tourism, and the tourism industry from around the world.

Her Excellency Mrs. Kobkarn Wattanavrangkul, Minister of Tourism and Sports of Thailand, thanked the WTTC for choosing Thailand and Bangkok to host such a “memorable and valuable conference” and stated that this was an opportunity for Thailand to show what the Kingdom and ASEAN stand for.

"It is a great honor for the Thai government and the Thai people that we can use the last two to three days to unite the spirits of all the people in Bangkok with all the delegates of the summit," she said.

The WTTC Global Summit 2017 took place at the Bangkok Convention Centre in CentralWorld and spanned two days. In addition to expert presentations, there were panel discussions and Q&A sessions. Delegates and international media representatives were thus able to experience firsthand the first-class planning and state-of-the-art conference facilities that have made Thailand the hub for business events in the region.

The delegates also enjoyed unique Thai experiences at a celebratory welcome dinner hosted by General Tanasak Patimapragorn, Thailand's Deputy Prime Minister. In addition, the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) organized excursions for the delegates and their partners, introducing them to Bangkok's history and rural Thai life. The "Bangkok Medley Tour" allowed visitors to explore Rattanakosin Island in traditional tuk-tuks, while the "Rustic Thailand Tour" took them inland to floating markets and along canal banks.

Mr. Yuthasak Supasorn, Governor of the TAT, said: “The TAT is proud to have hosted and sponsored this event, which will not only enhance Thailand’s image on an international level, but thanks to the high-level discussions that took place, will also ensure that tourism has a clear future and continues to benefit all people and economies of the world.”

This is the first time the WTTC Global Summit has been held in Southeast Asia. The summit's theme was "Changing Our World" and aligned with the International Year of Sustainable Tourism for Development 2017.

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