Home Show Co plans travel fairs, including upcountry, in preparation for 'bright future'
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Home Show Co plans to launch travel fairs in Bangkok and upcountry to capitalise on the opening of the Asean Economic Community (AEC) next year.
Veraded Jitsakdanont, a director of the company, said yesterday that Thai tourism was recuperating quickly after the establishment of a new government led by Prime Minister General Prayuth Chan-ocha and the appointment of a new tourism minister, Kobkarn Wattanavrangkul.
Foreign travellers now feel confident about visiting the country in the rest of this year after hearing that the government may lift martial law soon, he claimed.
Spending in the domestic travel market is also expected to rebound in the second half.
“Travel-fair exhibitors are now increasing their events to prepare for the bright future, as they are confident that people will spend for travel. Trade fairs and exhibitions on travel and hospitality are expected to gain a lot of business this year and into next year,” he said.
Home Show will organise a mixture of domestic and international travel fairs as part of “Home Show 2014” at Impact Muang Thong Thani from October 11-19.
Visitors will find discounts on travel products and services of up to 80 per cent from normal market prices. At the same venue, there will be a baby and family festival, a luxury festival, an electronics fair, a wedding show and a food festival.
“This year, we decided to bring back the luxury festival, which was suspended last year because of many problems. We’re confident we can attract 500,000 visitors and hope for spending of Bt150 million during the event,” he said.
Besides Bangkok, the company will hold similar events in the provinces for the first time, starting with Khon Kaen in second quarter of next year, Veraded said.
This travel fair is also planned for Hat Yai in the third quarter and Chiang Mai in the last quarter of 2015.
The move into the provinces aims to plug into business opportunities not only from locals but also from neighbouring countries, especially when the country becomes part of the AEC in 2015.
