With cooperation between the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) and the Thai tourism industry, Thailand has the honor to annually host the largest B2B event `Thailand Travel Mart Plus the Greater Mekong Sub region (TTM+).

For the year 2009, the Thailand Travel Mart Plus is scheduled to be held on 3-7 June. A briefing for buyers and sellers, together with on-site appointments between operators and patrons, will be arranged on the opening day at Central World's Bangkok Convention Centre. The last four days of the event will take place at the Challenger Hall, Muang Thong Thani Impact Arena Exhibition and Convention Centre. 4-5 June will be trade days, focusing on trade and business talks among operators and participants. 6-7 June will be consumer days for the general public, as well as post-tour days for buyers and media.

The event, first organized in 2001, has the uttermost objective to promote the tourism and service business in Thailand and its Greater Mekong Subregion (GMS) counterparts. Small and medium entrepreneurs (SMEs) have also been supported on the international stage with their products on offer. The major markets include Europe, South East Asia, Eastern Asia, the United States, Australia, and New Zealand, as well as emerging ones; such as, the CIS countries, Eastern Europe, Middle East, South America, and South Africa.

In 2008, the Thailand Travel Mart Plus welcomed 440 delegate buyers from 60 countries including Thailand, an increase of 26.5% over the previous year. Participants were encouraged to meet 388 travel organisations and related service operators from Thailand and the GMS countries, featuring 67% from hotels and resorts, 12% from travel agents and tour operators, 10% from companies from the GMS, IMTGT, and NTOs, and 11% from other travel services; such as, airlines, ecotourism and adventure operators, golf courses, wellness and spa centres, as well as entertainment venues, theme parks, and culture shows.

Source:Travel News Gazette