The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) has chosen the Ocean Marina Yacht Club in Pattaya for this year's Thailand Travel Mart Plus Amazing Gateway to the Greater Mekong Subregion, or TTM+.
The three-day event, taking place June 13-15, will showcase luxurious and romantic travel around Thailand under the TAT's "Million Shades of Romance" theme, said Srisuda Wananpinyosak, deputy governor for international marketing in Europe, Africa, the Middle East and the Americas.
"After years of meeting indoors, we are 'opening to the new shades' of business experience against the beautiful backdrop of the Gulf of Thailand," Mrs Srisuda said.
TTM+ 2018 will continue to promote Thailand's important features, from its rich culture and history to beautiful natural attractions and a variety of amenities and accommodation.
The Ocean Marina Yacht Club was chosen as the venue for its capability to hold large events, having hosted over 6,000 visitors at its 2017 boat show last November.
Holding TTM+ 2018 at a marina also supports the Thai government's push to position Thailand as Asia's premier sailing and superyacht destination, targeting high-net-worth individuals.
"Thailand successfully hosted the region's largest travel trade show, the Asean Tourism Forum 2018 in January in Chiang Mai," Mrs Srisuda said. "We want to make sure that TTM+ offers a new perspective for travel business meetings to ensure maximum productivity for both sellers and buyers."
As of May 8, there were 276 buyers registered to participate in the event, with 126 first-time buyers and 150 return buyers. They include 124 from the EU, Africa and the Middle East; 66 from East Asia; 65 from Asean, South Asia and the South Pacific; and the rest from the Americas.
Meanwhile, 313 organisations are confirmed sellers, including 71 newcomers and 265 returning. These include 16 organisations in the luxury and romance business, five associations, nine entertainment businesses, 240 hotels and resorts, 22 tour companies, two transport companies, and eight other travel-related services, as well as 11 from the Greater Mekong Subregion.
Pattaya is part of the Eastern Economic Corridor, with tourism one of the four core sectors that the government is keen to promote.
