Pattaya leaders go to Middle East and India to increase tourist arrivals

Acting TAT Governor Weerasak Kowsurat (left) and Chonburi Provincial Council Deputy Rewat Phonlookin (right) discuss the success of the trips.

Video presentations were made by TAT and Pattaya City and shown to leading tour and travel agencies owners in India who met with the various hotel and tourist attractions owners and the Pattaya Times newspaper owner. The performers from Tiffany Show entertained the hundreds of Indian travel professionals and India media members.

Part of the Pattaya Road Show group at the Arabian Travel Mart in Dubai, United Arab Emirates.

“This was the first time in history any Thailand city has gone on a Road Show to India. This should show Indian travel professionals how welcomed their clients would be in Pattaya. These leading business people from Pattaya are offering special pricing for the Indian market. TAT has allocated most all of its 2009 marketing budget to India, the Middle East and Russia,” said TAT Director Chattan.

Mayor Itthiphol Kunplome, who speaks perfect English, told the Indians, “Pattaya had a problem during ASEAN, but the problem passed and Pattaya is very safe. You understand from your recent experiences how the image of a country or city can be exaggerated to the negative because of one incident. No tourists were ever injured or threatened in the recent political turmoil.

Indian tour brokers in New Delhi meet with the Pattaya Road Show group.

The group was pleased to have the President of the Pattaya Business and Tourism Association, Jamroon Wisavachaiphan on the trip as many of the private sector members are members of PBTA.

In all, more than 200 Indian travel brokers met with the group promoting Pattaya.

The private sector group traveled for two weeks with area government officials and all have to know each other and share support. From Pattaya City Hall was Mayor Itthiphol Kunplome, Deputy Mayor Wattana Chantanawaranon, Head of City council Tawit Chaisawangwong and Officers Wuttipol Charoenphol, Praiwal Hongsa and Teerarat Uruakeolarn.

The Pattaya booth in the Thailand exhibit at the Arabian Travel Mart, Dubai, UAE.

From the Chonburi government the representatives who were selected were Surapong Ayasanond and Siripong Sukkasem, Utopao International Airport Pattaya, Patsalin Swettarat and Varitha Saensawang, Tourism Authority of Thailand, Pattaya & Region 3, the Chon Buri Provincial Administrative Organization led by Rewat Phonlookin and including Chao Maneewong, Udomsak Charoenwut, Vanchai Hongsathit, Sunchai Hirisatcha, Supharp Intaraksa, Pornchai Wonglomnil, Niramon Sittikraipong, Phenkhae Prianan, and Darat Surakkhaka.

Pattaya Mayor Itthiphol Kunplome, center, with other leading dignitaries at the Arabian Travel Mart.

Results of the Pattaya Road Show are still coming in and will be published in the next issue of the Pattaya Times exclusively as it was the only media member on the trip.

Among the results will be the announcement of several major business deals and a cooperative effort of the private and public sector to improve the image of Pattaya.