Nearly 100 travel agents and media from 11 Asia Pacific countries have travelled to Thailand’s Khao Yai National Park this week for a promotional event organised by the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT).
Taking place from 26-28 November, the ‘Ultimate Khao Yai’ travel mart has seen the TAT fly in 61 buyers and 29 media from China, Korea, Japan, Hong Kong, Taipei, India, Vietnam, Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia and Australia, along with a number of domestic Thai tour operators. The intention is to promote Khao Yai’s resorts, lodges and boutique hotels, catering to niche-market eco and adventure tourists.
The promotional effort is in line with the TAT’s 2013 Marketing Plan, which aims to diversify Thailand’s tourism products away from the popular beach resorts. Attractions around the UNESCO-listed national park include a dairy farm, sheep farm, vineyards, golf courses, theme parks and shopping malls. The area, which lies close to Bangkok, is also being promoted for meetings, business events and conferences.
“This is the first time we are organising this kind a dedicated fam trip to Khao Yai National Park. Because it lies on the Asian Highway route network to northeast Thailand and the neighbouring countries of the Greater Mekong sub-region, we expect it to become an important point for tour operators to package into their tour itineraries,” said TAT Governor, Suraphon Svetasreni.
On the first day of the trip, participants visited a vineyard for wine-tasting and a welcoming ceremony. This was followed up on Tuesday with a trip to a dairy farm and product updates by local tourism operators.
Awarded UNESCO World Heritage status in 2005, Khao Yai (literally meaning ‘big mountain’) covers more than 2,000km² with altitudes ranging from 400-1,000 metres above sea-level. The area is home to wild elephants, bears and tigers.
