Thailand to welcome members of the bloggers as TBEX Asia 2015 opens its doors

Bangkok, 15 October, 2015 – The first ever first Travel Blog Exchange is to be held in Asia, from 15 to 17 October, 2015, at the Queen Sirikit National Convention Centre (QSNCC) in Bangkok. The event will start with a press conference in the afternoon of 15 October to tell the world about Thailand’s readiness as a host country.

The much-anticipated international conference will feature three days of activities related to travel blogging as well as pre and post event tour programmes where attendees can discover “Thainess” for themselves. The event will feature guest speakers and sessions by well-known bloggers and online writers, who will network and learn about the latest trends and fads in the industry.

The Travel Blog Exchange Asia (TBEX Asia), is being jointly sponsored by the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT), Thailand Convention and Exhibition Bureau (TCEB), Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA), Thai Airways International Public Co., Ltd. (THAI) , and True Corporation Public Co., Ltd. The SUPPORT Arts and Crafts International Centre of Thailand (SACICT) is also providing support as a way of promoting traditional Thai arts and crafts to the world.

At the press conference, Mr. Yuthasak Supasorn, TAT Governor said, “Thailand is pleased to welcome more than 600 talented bloggers and online writers from around the world to the TBEX Asia 2015. TAT will take this opportunity to promote our successful “Discover Thainess” campaign, which highlights the distinctive characteristics of Thailand and showcases the 12 Hidden Gems” destinations. We hope that the event is fun and productive for participants and further enhances the image of Thailand as a top venue for world-class events of all sizes and types.”

Ms. Mary Jo Manzanares, Conference Director for TBEX said, “Thailand is a wonderful place for all types of travellers and it is the gateway to Asia, so seemed the natural place to hold our first TBEX event on the continent. The TBEX was established so bloggers could meet and share ideas about the travel industry. Our fabulous hosts in Thailand have put together an incredible assortment of pre and post event activities and trips so we’re looking forward to a great event.”

The hosting of the TBEX Asia 2015 is one of Thailand’s MICE industry’s greatest achievements and is expected to help attract even more of the world’s most prestigious conventions.

Mrs. Supawan Teerarat, TCEB’s Vice President Strategic and Business Development said, “Not only will the event boost the Thai economy by more than 50 million Baht, it will also help promote the capabilities and readiness of Thailand to blog readers and tourists around the world by showcasing the diversity of destinations, world-class infrastructure and transportation links in the kingdom.”

Mr. Amorn Kitchawengkul, Deputy Bangkok governor said, “I am proud that Thailand has been chosen as the host country for this important international event. Bangkok is the perfect venue as it has grown by leaps and bounds in terms of investment in infrastructure and tourism facilities in recent years. Bangkok is now the go-to destination for business events, and people coming here will find it to be a cultural melting pot and one of the most modern and impressive cities in the world.”

Mr. Chutintorn Srisittikum, Vice President, the e-Commerce and Ancillary Marketing Department of Thai Airways Public Company Limited said, “As the kingdom’s national carrier, it is natural for us to support big tourist events and the TBEX Asia is the largest event of its kind for bloggers and new media travel writers. We are happy to help with the provision of tickets and special promotions, so that attendees to the event could see even more of Thailand and South East Asia.”

Dr. Kittinut Tikawan, Head of Commercial & Business Development, Worldwide of True Corporation Public Co., Ltd., said, “Members of the media and travel writers now rely on fast communications and interconnectivity to tell their stories. So True is the perfect sponsor of the TBEX Asia 2015 event. We welcome all the participants and hope they enjoy using our unrivalled selection of integrated communications services and solutions during the event and when they travel further afield to tell their stories of Thailand’s wonders.

The TBEX Asia 2015 also provides an important platform for SACICT to showcase some of Thailand’s stunning Thai arts and crafts made using techniques that have been passed down the generations by some of Thailand’s most respected artists.

. Amparwan Pichalai, Chief Executive Officer of the SUPPORT Arts and Crafts International Centre of Thailand (Public Organization) said, “SACICT will celebrate its 12th anniversary in November 2015, and we would like to mark this special anniversary by inviting the world to experience “Thainess” first-hand. They can do this by exploring the Thai way of life and by joining all Thai people as they take pride in the precious and timeless elements that make up our culture.”

In the evening of 15 October, the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) will host the welcome reception with a Loi Krathong theme. This will offer bloggers an experience to enjoy Thainess through one of our famous festivities beforehand since the actual event will be held around late November.

The TBEX Asia 2015 will enhance the image of Thailand internationally and help boost the already successful Discover Thainess Campaign. Social media now plays an important part in Thailand’s tourism sector. People use the Internet to buy travel products, read destination reviews and book hotels and tours. This word of mouth by bloggers and online writers is one of the key factors that has already helped Thailand achieve 23 million up until 15 October, 2015, and the target of 28.8 million visitors is expected to be passed.

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