A taste of Thailand in Toronto

A new Canadian office for the Tourism Authority of Thailand is among the developments in store for 2017, the organization revealed at a tradeshow and dinner event last night.

The tourism authority welcomed the travel trade to Toronto for an evening of information, fun and all things Thailand, featuring international representatives of the tourism authority, including Pataraporn Sithivanich, executive director for the Americas and Srimala Waraphaskul, director of the organization’s New York office, along with reps from numerous tour operators, airlines and attractions, from both Canada and Thailand.

The evening also featured presentations by three of those suppliers – Cathay Pacific, Bangkok Airways and Elephant Hills - which provided the answers to a post-dinner quiz for prizes.

Although details are still forthcoming, the big news of the night was the announcement by Sithivanich of the tourism authority’s establishment of a Canadian office in Toronto. Currently, TAT is represented in Canada by Kayla Shubert, who told PAX that the office is expected to open in the first half of 2017. More information on the new office is expected in the coming months.

Pataraporn Sithivanich, executive director – the Americas, Tourism Authority of Thailand

According to Shubert, the country welcomed approximately 227,000 Canadians in 2015, who stay on average for 16 days or more and 60 per cent of whom were repeat visitors to Thailand. Canadian travellers also typically begin their journey in Bangkok before heading to Thailand’s famed beach destinations, including Phuket and Koh Samui.

“There’s three things we found which draw Canadians to Thailand,” Shubert said. “First it’s the Thai people and their hospitality, followed by the diversity of the destination and the value. It’s a winning combination; if you can sell your clients on Thailand, they’ll be more than satisfied.”