Bangkok, Thailand, February 21, 2023 / TRAVELINDEX / WebBeds, a global marketplace for the travel industry, has partnered with the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) to host its first IMPACT Summit – a high-profile event designed to help hoteliers build a successful future as tourism in the Kingdom continues to recover.

Nearly a thousand hoteliers and international partners attended the event to learn about Thailand's latest tourism strategies and to gain expert insights from WebBeds' sales managers from Europe, the Middle East and Africa, the Americas and the Asia-Pacific region.

The IMPACT Summit, held on February 8, 2023 at the Centara Grand & Bangkok Convention Centre in CentralWorld, provided senior executives from TAT and WebBeds with the opportunity to present industry news – including Thailand’s strategic direction as well as current booking data and trends – to an audience of more than 500 hoteliers who attended in person and over 400 additional partners who followed the summit via livestream from around the world.

The event was distinguished by the high quality of the speakers. The TAT was represented by Siripakorn Cheawsamoot, Deputy Governor for International Marketing in Europe, Africa, the Middle East, and the Americas, and Chuwit Sirivajjakul, Executive Director for the East Asia region. Both helped participants understand the tourism landscape and align their own business plans with the TAT's initiatives.

During the summit, Siripakorn presented the Tourism Authority of Thailand's (TAT) vision for its long-haul markets, which focuses on high-quality and sustainable tourism. The TAT's action plan, called "ABCD," prioritizes four core areas: "Focus on Airlines" (attracting more flights and expanding capacity), "Major Cities and Beyond" (expanding Thailand's source markets to other major cities worldwide), "Cooperation is Key" (cooperating with new strategic partners, including airlines, airports, tour operators, and travel agencies), and "A Destination for All" (positioning Thailand as a year-round destination for a broader market spectrum).

Chuwit Sirivajjakul then provided information on the TAT's marketing campaigns and activities for East Asia in 2023, focusing on the reopening of mainland China, as well as South Korea, Japan, Taiwan, and Hong Kong. He also explained how consumer behavior has changed over the years and what opportunities these key markets offer hoteliers.

The IMPACT Summit was WebBeds' latest initiative to promote travel and tourism in Thailand, following last year's "Excel and Upsell" forum in Bangkok.

Daryl Lee, CEO of WebBeds, commented: “We are delighted to be working with the TAT again, as WebBeds continues to support the growth of the travel and hospitality industry in Thailand and globally. This event marked our first IMPACT Summit, and the choice of Bangkok as the host city underscores Thailand’s importance as a global tourism hub. At WebBeds, we firmly believe that our industry grows stronger through collaboration, and we greatly appreciate the TAT’s active support. This was the first of many IMPACT Summits, and we look forward to working with our valued partners in the months and years to come to build a strong and sustainable future for the entire industry.”

Siripakorn Cheawsamoot, Deputy Governor for International Marketing in Europe, Africa, the Middle East, and the Americas, added: “On behalf of the TAT, I am delighted to be invited to speak at this important event and to meet so many of our valued hotel partners. WebBeds has always been a strong supporter of Thailand, and we are grateful that Bangkok was chosen to host the first IMPACT Summit. Thailand welcomed over 11 million visitors in 2022, exceeding our initial forecasts. By aligning our strategies, we can accelerate the recovery and attract even more international travelers to our country in the future.”

Thailand welcomed a total of 11.15 million international visitors in 2022. Malaysia, India, Singapore, and South Korea were the main countries of origin. An initial target of 25 million arrivals has been set for 2023. While this is below the 40 million visitors recorded in 2019, it represents a significant improvement over the years impacted by COVID-19 and demonstrates that the Kingdom is undergoing a V-shaped recovery.

The IMPACT Summit in Bangkok marked the latest milestone in WebBeds' mission to revitalize travel, tourism, and hospitality in the Asia-Pacific region. The company will be announcing further dates and locations for its IMPACT Summits in the coming months. Stay tuned!