Thai Airways International (Middle East) this week flew 20 media and travel trade representatives from around the Middle East to Thailand as part of the joint effort between THAI and the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) to boost tourism arrivals to the country. The airline has flown a total of 800 travel trade and media representatives from around the world to join this ‘Thailand Invitation Mega Familiarisation Trip’ presenting the Seven Amazing Wonders of Thailand and a special “Visit Thailand 2009” programme launch.

Thai and TAT have a history of working closely together to spearhead tourism growth and this ‘Mega Fam Trip’ has been designed to demonstrate to media and travel trade that the country is both safe to visit and still offers excellent value for money for visitors of all ages and interests.  30 different destinations covering Northern, North Eastern, Central and Southern Thailand have been offered to the various groups, with the Middle East party visiting Bangkok, the southern tourist island of Phuket or the northern cultural and adventure travel city of Chiang Mai. The Middle East party is shown on the attached photograph, being welcomed by Mr. Michael Horn, General Manager of Centara Grand and Bangkok Convention Centre at CentralWorld.

The media and travel trade participants from the Middle East flew THAI from Dubai to Bangkok on Tuesday 7th October 2008, attending a reception and ‘Visit Thailand 2009’ exhibition at the Queen Sirikit National Convention Centre in Bangkok along with the other 800 media and travel trade representatives from around the world, hosted by President Thai Airways, Flg.Off Apinan Sumanbaseni, Minister of Tourism & Sports Mr Weerasak Kowsurat and Governor Tourism Authority of Thailand Mrs Phomsiri Manoham. 

Bangkok, Phuket and Chiang Mai are all popular destinations from the Middle East, served by THAI from Dubai with 11 flights weekly to Bangkok and convenient onward connections from Suvarnabhumi International Airport, THAI’s home base. Regular daily flights are also offered by Thai to both destinations from Don Muang Airport, Bangkok.