Buyers from several countries are queuing up for registrations to the Thailand Travel Mart Plus 2012 to be held during June 6-8, 2012, at Exhibition Central Hall 5-6, Impact Muang Thong Thani Exhibition Centre.

As of January 25, 2012, a total of 212 buyers from 41 countries have registered for TTM Plus 2012; the top five countries are India (53), United Kingdom (25), Australia (13), Russia (16), and the USA (12).

TAT Governor Suraphon Svetasreni said, "We are very happy to get such a good response so early. It clearly shows the strength and popularity of Thailand as a tourism destination and sends a continued vote of confidence to us in this ongoing recovery process from the various crises that have affected us in recent months."

India is Thailand's biggest source market for visitors from South Asia and one of the fastest growing markets overall. Along with Russia, Indonesia and China, the so-called RICHI group, India is part of a huge catchment area with significant demographic and economic potential, all within medium-haul flying range from Bangkok.

The TTM+ is the country's premier annual trade event designed to promote travel and tourism to Thailand and its neighbours in the Greater Mekong Subregion. One of its primary objectives is to provide a platform for the region's small and medium sized entrepreneurs (SMEs) to cost-effectively promote their products and services, especially as many of them cannot afford to go to foreign trade shows.

The shows provides international tour operators with opportunities to survey new tourist attractions and design suitable packages for their markets, especially those which can combine both Thailand and the neighbouring GMS countries.

TAT is expecting 400 buyers from major markets (Europe, South Asia, East Asia, America and Australia) and new potential markets (East Europe, CIS Countries, Middle East, South America and South Africa). Buyers who have never offered a Thailand package and those who plan to broaden the quality and content of existing packages will be given priority.

Seller allotments provide for 425 booths which, in line with the theme of the 2012 event, will be zoned into four niche markets - Ecotourism, Golf, Health and Wellness, and Wedding and Honeymoon. The leisure group will be categorized into 7 groups such as Associations/NTOs, Entertainment, Greater Mekong Subregion (GMS), Hotels and Resorts, Tour Operators / Travel Agents, Transportation, and other travel services.

So far, 232 sellers have registered in the following categories: hotels & resorts (192), tour operators /travel agents (18), ecotourism (1), health and wellness (4), transportation (1), entertainment / theme park / cultural products (8), golf (1), wedding and honeymoon (3), GMS (4).

This year, the TTM Plus 2012 is expected to attract a total of 1,000 delegates. Registrations for buyers, sellers and media, Forum and Briefing for Buyers and Sellers, On-site Appointment Sessions, Welcome Reception will be on June 6, 2012. Trade Days and Media Briefing will be on June 7-8, 2012. Post tours for Buyers and Media will be on June 9, 2012.