Thai trade show to go ahead despite military coup
Tourism officials in Thailand have decided to go ahead with Thailand Travel Mart 2014 despite the political unrest.
Although the country is currently under military rule with a risk of protests, organisers have vowed to continue with the event on June 4-6 at the IMPACT Muang Thong Thani, 30 minutes drive from downtown Bangkok.
"In spite of the current political situation, we are very pleased that many buyers and sellers are still assured to attend the event," said Thawatchai Arunyik, governor of the Tourism Authority of Thailand.
"This is a major vote of confidence in Thailand, the quality of our tourism products and services, and the determination of the travel trade to go on with business as usual."
A spokeswoman said TAT would be monitoring the situation during the event with regards to the coup and any protests.
"Tourists and international visitors are not a target, plus the centre where the exhibition takes place is out of town," she said.
"Any protesters on the streets now are those who are ‘anti-coup’ and so their frustrations are aimed at the military.
"We will of course, as always, take great care of the guests we are hosting and we will be monitoring the situation whilst there. The program is flexible depending on the current situation."
She said there will be little impact on business and evening functions planned, especially now that the curfew has been adjusted.
TAT has also decided to go ahead with pre and post tours to showcase other parts of the country.
The event attracts 296 buyers from 46 countries, equally divided between first time and repeat buyers.
The top five major buyers by country are China (35), UK (23), Australia (18), India (18), South Africa (16), and Japan (14).
Four complimentary pre-tours are being organised for media and buyers to explore and experience "Thainess" tourism products.
Bev
Editor in chief Bev Fearis has been a travel journalist for 25 years. She started her career at Travel Weekly, where she became deputy news editor, before joining Business Traveller as deputy editor and launching the magazine’s website. She has also written travel features, news and expert comment for the Guardian, Observer, Times, Telegraph, Boundless and other consumer titles and was named one of the top 50 UK travel journalists by the Press Gazette.
Vegas’s Billion-Dollar Secrets – What They Don’t Want Tourists to Know
Visit Florida’s New CEO Bryan Griffin Shares His Vision for State Tourism with Graham
Chicago’s Tourism Renaissance: Graham Interviews Kristin Reynolds of Choose Chicago
Graham Talks with Cassandra McCauley of MMGY NextFactor About the Latest Industry Research
Destination International’s Andreas Weissenborn: Research, Advocacy, and Destination Impact
Graham and Don Welsh Discuss the Success of Destinations International’s Annual Conference
Graham and CEO Andre Kiwitz on Ventura Travel’s UK Move and Recruitment for the Role
Brett Laiken and Graham Discuss Florida’s Tourism Momentum and Global Appeal
Graham and Elliot Ferguson on Positioning DC as a Cultural and Inclusive Global Destination
Graham Talks to Fraser Last About His England-to-Ireland Trek for Mental Health Awareness
Kathy Nelson Tells Graham About the Honour of Hosting the World Cup and Kansas City’s Future
Graham McKenzie on Sir Richie Richardson’s Dual Passion for Golf and His Homeland, Antigua
ADS PRO 
TAP Air Portugal to operate 29 flights due to strike on December 11
Qatar Airways offers flexible payment options for European travellers
Airlines suspend Madagascar services following unrest and army revolt
Strike action set to cause travel chaos at Brussels airports
Digital Travel Reporter of the Mirror totally seduced by HotelPlanner AI Travel Agent