On the 22^nd February 2013 the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) participated in prominent and largest travel trade fairs, the annual ‘Europe – FITUR 2013 and Holiday Fair’.  The exhibition was filled by approximately 300 traders from around 150 different countries. Each event at the fair drew over 100,000 consumers, providing a wide platform and much needed exposure for Asian tourism.  The TAT team interacted with various players of the tourism industry like travel agents, airline alliances, etc to strengthen the mutual give and take relationship.  It also has certain plans to kick start marketing strategies and public relations activities to boost Thai tourism. The strategy targets on sectors that are least affected by slow economic conditions like honeymooners, couples, and business people. Also new flights from Brussels and Middle East to Bangkok and Phuket are predicted to further create a positive turn of events.

According to last year’s statistics 113270 tourists from Spain accounted to an 18.75% growth in tourism and earned 5.143 billion Baht where as 94,549 visitors from Belgium accounted to 14.45% generating 4.681 billion Baht. The expectations for 2013 are 10-12% increase which will be approximately 125,000 visitors from Spain and 104,000 visitors from Belgium.

The ‘Journey to the Jungle’ team is always supportive and appreciates more such initiative and participation from TAT on international level. Such trade fairs encourage responsible tourism and provide the countries with much needed economical and social boost.  Hence good job and good luck is all we have to say to the efforts taken by Tourism Authority of Thailand and hope for prosperous tourism.