Bloggers log on to Thai tourism

Bloggers log on to Thai tourism

Travel event providesreal taste of experience

A tourist takes a photo of the golden Kinnaree statues at the Temple of the Emerald Buddha in Bangkok. The Tourism Authority of Thailand is seeking help from bloggers from 20 countries to promote the country's attractions. PATTARAPONG CHATPATTARASILL
A tourist takes a photo of the golden Kinnaree statues at the Temple of the Emerald Buddha in Bangkok. The Tourism Authority of Thailand is seeking help from bloggers from 20 countries to promote the country's attractions. PATTARAPONG CHATPATTARASILL

The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) will take advantage of Travel Blog Exchange (TBEX) Asia 2015, which gathers 600 international bloggers in Bangkok until tomorrow, to promote Thai tourism.

The event is the world's largest gathering of travel bloggers, writers, new-media content creators and social media-savvy travel professionals.

It is being held at the Queen Sirikit National Convention Center.

Siripakorn Cheawsamoot, the TAT's executive director for information technology, said bloggers had come from 20 countries and had a total of 12 million followers.

The TAT has organised 60 tour routes for bloggers to experience tourism products in Bangkok. 

It will also host familiarisation trips covering Phuket, Krabi, Chumphon, Trang-Satun, Trat, Samut Sakhon-Samut Songkhram-Phetchaburi, Buri Ram-Surin, Lampang-Phrae-Nan, Chiang Mai-Lampang-Lamphun and Koh Samui.

Mr Siripakorn said the TAT strongly believed bloggers' real experiences would help to promote Thai tourism.

Generally, bloggers will spend about two weeks in the country.

"it will benefit Thailand if the bloggers stay longer and travel around after the event ends," Mr Siripakorn said.

TAT governor Yuthasak Supasorn is confident the bloggers' experiences will help to restore tourist confidence after the Aug 17 Erawan Shrine bombing.

Bangkok will also host another travel fair, ITB Asia, from Oct 21-23.

The TAT will introduce 77 videos to promote all 77 provinces. In the first phase, emphasis will be on the 12 Hidden Gems destinations, with the winning clip from a contest to be broadcast next month on free TV channels and social networks.

In the second phase, 35 TAT offices will work with provincial administrative organisations to hold another video contest.

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