TAT to stage Thailand Tourism Festival 2014: the kingdoms largest travel fair

The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) has announced that the annual Thailand Tourism Festival (TTF) 2014 will be held as scheduled from 4 to 8 June at Challenger Hall 1-3, IMPACT Exhibition and Convention Centre Muang Thong Thani in Bangkok.

Mr. Thawatchai Arunyik, TAT Governor said,“The TTF is the biggest tourism event in Thailand, and allows a cross-section of the industry’ biggest players – service providers, agents, hoteliers or tour operators – to meet face-to-face with end-consumers, the tourists and travellers they aim to serve. The event also offers a great opportunity for domestic tourists as well as local residents in Thailand to take advantage of some special deals for accommodation and tour services around the nation.”

In 2014, the TTF marks its 34th year and offers a showcase for all tourism-related products and services as well as Thailand’s popular One-Tambon-One-Product (OTOP) items in different designated zones of the massive 60,000 square metres of exhibit space. There will also be cultural shows staged by local artist groups from all corners of the country.

There will be five main zones at the fair, which will showcase popular and unique products and services from different regions. These are:

• Fall in Love with Northern Thailand’s Charms: Time-honoured Cultures & Abundant Natural Beauty. In this zone, visitors will enjoy a slice of traditional Thai Lue village life through demonstrations of local cloth weaving techniques, pottery making and the construction of wooden and basketwork Khan Toke (traditional Northern dining trays). There will also be cultural performances from Lanna artists and educational displays about the region’s unique products.
• Fall in Love with Central Thailand’s Charms: In a Variety of Styles. This zone boasts exquisite displays of Thai-style communal houses and villages – unique to the Central Plains region. There are also floating markets, village stalls and cultural performances that impart some of the region’s ancient folk wisdom alongside displays that enable visitors to learn about the 19 distinctive tourist attractions found in this region.
• Fall in Love with Northeastern Thailand’s Charms: Land of Ancient Civilisation. In this zone, visitors will experience the communal lifestyles of the local Phu Thai ethnic group as well as see the distinctive indigenous architecture of their buildings. There will also be a range of cultural performances to enjoy and the chance to see what tourist goods the region produces.
• Fall in Love with Southern Thailand’s Charms: Abundant Natural Beauty and Culture. This zone highlights the South’s unique natural charms with attractive images of the region’s crystal-clear sea, lush forests and unique blend of people and cultures. Visitors can see representations of the distinctive ‘Pan Ya’ Southern Thai-style houses, relax in Southern-style tea shops and enjoy a little taste of the many attractions found in the islands and lush greenery of this charming region.
• Fall in Love with Eastern Thailand’s Charms: The Colours of the East. Showing off the high-end luxury resorts, along the Eastern Seaboard through a 3D art exhibition, and hosting fashion shows that display the gems and jewellery products of the East, this zone boasts a great deal for tourists to enjoy.

In addition, each zone will try to evoke the distinct atmospheres of the zones they represent with a walking street where visitors can experience the sights, sounds and smells of each region. Visitors can even explore with their taste buds thanks to the wide range of foods and culinary products on sale to taste and buy.

There will also be an entertainment zone incorporating the main stage where visitors will be treated to daily cultural performances from talented students from some of Thailand’s dramatic arts colleges as well as concerts from well-known singers and famous artists. For those who would like a taste of the Thai regions, without having to travel, a food zone will offer snacks and meals from over 100 leading restaurants from all over the country.

In a separate exhibition zone, visitors will be inspired to travel in the kingdom by giving them some great information about some of the leading tourist attractions around Thailand as well as a 4D presentation about ‘10 Dream Destinations’ in Thailand. There will also be displays about popular Thailand tourism products, information about the Thailand Tourism Awards, medical tourism, ecotourism, business travel and many more. This makes the event a perfect day out for anyone planning to travel round the kingdom.

Visitors interested in learning more about tourism in Thailand, are advised to join a special seminarhosted by TAT on the topic “Tourism Thailand : KEEP CALM AND LOOK FORWARD TO 2020”on 8 June, 2014, between 10:00 – 16:30 hours at Jupiter Room 4-7, in which this seminar will be conducted in Thai.

Bargain-seeking travellers should head for the booths hosted by airlines, hotels, resorts, travel agencies and car rental groups, where special deals and breaks offered at discount prices – all to encourage travel in the kingdom. Visitors willing to take part in some of the fun activities taking place may even win on-the-spot prizes and rewards.

To encourage would-be travellers and interested parties to come and take a look around the Thailand Tourism Festival, TAT is offering a free, hourly shuttle bus service from the Mo Chit’s BTS and MRT stations to the Challenger Hall at IMPACT Muang Thong Thani.