Thailand to host Asia’s first Travel Blog Exchange in October

Bangkok, 26 March 2015 – The Thai tourism industry is set to significantly expand its social media profile when more than 1,000 bloggers and online writers worldwide convene for the first Travel Blog Exchange to be held in Asia between 15 - 17 October 2015.

The TBEX Asia 2015 is being jointly supported by the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT), Thailand Convention and Exhibition Bureau (TCEB) and Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA). It will provide a unique opportunity for Thailand to showcase the “2015 Discover Thainess” campaign and allow Thailand-based bloggers to network with their worldwide counterparts.

Mrs. Juthaporn Rerngronasa, TAT Deputy Governor for International Marketing (Europe, Africa, Middle East, and the Americas) presided over the press conference and signing ceremony to host the TBEX Asia 2015 at the Queen Sirikit National Convention Centre.

Mrs. Juthaporn commented, “Travel bloggers have a very strong and loyal following on social media. We are truly proud that some of the world’s leading bloggers have chosen Thailand to host their first TBEX in Asia.

“As each of these online writers has an average of more than 10,000 followers, the TBEX Asia will help us promote a positive image of Thailand and attract more young generation visitors from around the world.”

TBEX was first held in 2008 and has been organised annually in Europe and the United States. As attendance has grown significantly, the organisers, TBEX LLC, have decided to venture into Asia in recognition of the immense market potential and high growth in visitor arrivals.

Between 22-26 March, 2015, TAT arranged a site inspection and preview trip along five unique travel routes across Thailand for the organising committee of TBEX Asia in a group of 30 leading bloggers from around the world.

Organisers expect that the breakdown of participants at the Bangkok event will include about 52% from the USA, 37% from Europe, and 11% from Asia and Australia.

In recent years, TAT has developed aggressive online and digital marketing strategies to promote tourism via all forms of new media and across all devices; such as, mobile phones, Smart Phones, and Tablets. These have been designed to reach specific target audiences worldwide, especially young travellers and families.

A whole range of award-winning social media campaigns have been rolled out, comprising of contests and competitions that allow participants to compete for prizes, including free stays in Thailand.

Social media networks are playing an increasingly important role in the tourism sector. The Internet has changed consumer behaviour in many ways, both in terms of the way people buy their travel products, the destinations they choose, the amount of time they have to travel, and the amount of money they spend.

People are eager to share experiences via social media, making it the equivalent of word-of-mouth marketing, the most powerful means of personalised publicity for any destination.

For more information about Travel Blog Exchange Asia 2015 (TBEX Asia 2015):

Marketing Information Technology Group

Marketing Information Office

Tourism Authority of Thailand

Tel: +66 (0) 2250 5500 ext. 2840 - 2842

Contact Information

International Public Relations Division

Tourism Authority of Thailand

Tel: +66 (0) 2250 5500 ext. 4545-48

Fax: +66 (0) 2253 7419

E-mail: prdiv3@tat.or.th

Website: www.tatnews.org

Facebook: TAT Newsroom

Twitter: TAT Newsroom