Events draw up-scale visitors to Phuket

EVENTS are returning to Phuket and promising to attract at least 4,000 high spending delegates by the end of the year, while boosting occupancy for the island’s up-market hotels

Demonstrating confidence in the island’s tourism, 2,000 delegates from the Travel Agents Association of India will attend their annual convention, 24 to 27 September, at Laguna Resorts and Hotels.

TAT Phuket Office Bangornrat Shinaprayoon said persuading TAAI’s committee to choose Phuket as their annual meeting destination was a real breakthrough for the destination.

Securing such an important trade conference involved a hosted site inspection in Phuket to confirm the city’s readiness to welcome delegates.

TAT will encourage delegates, mainly outbound travel agents, to join post conference tours to Krabi, Samui, Bangkok and Chiang Mai.

Phuket is likely to benefit in the lucrative weddings and incentives markets from India that favour visits during the off-peak months May to October. Large wedding groups from India were hosed on the island earlier this month and that trend will continue.

Another key event is the Asian Hospitality and Travel Show Phuket,1 to 3 October at Central Festival Exhibition Centre.

Organised by the Phuket International Academy Sports and Leisure Club, the event covers 3000 sqm of floor space and claims to be the first Asian exhibition to bring buyers and sellers together from both hospitality and travel.

There will be more than 100 exhibitors and professionally coordinated business appointments between buyers and sellers. Over 2,000 visitors primarily from the hospitality and travel in southern Thailand and neighbouring countries; namely Singapore, Malaysia and Indonesia are registered. Participants are also registered from China, Korea and Hong Kong.

Offering a boost to retailers on the island, the Amazing Thailand Grand Sale 2010, runs until 15 August offering 10 to 8% discounts to attract domestic and international shoppers.

At the same time, the Phuket Food and Beverage Show 2010 will take place from 30 July to 1 August at Homework opposite Central Festival Phuket from 1100 to 2000.

The event is co-organised by Tourism Authority of Thailand Phuket Office, Thai Hotels Association – Southern Chapter and Thai Federation of Food and Beverage Management Clubs and Association. The event will showcase products, competitions and activities from the hotels in Phuket.

Other events include Laguna Phuket Triathlon 2010 at Laguna Phuket, 28 November, Phuket King’s Cup Regatta at Kata Beach 4 to 11 December, Laguna Ironman at Laguna Phuket, 5 December.

Report sponsored by The Village Resort and Spa.