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TTM+ 2010 postponed
TTR weekly reports that Tourism Authority of Thailand announced that it has postponed the Thailand Travel Mart Plus 2010, scheduled for 2 to 4 June, due to mass cancellations of hosted buyers, but has so far not identified replacement dates.
It hopes to reschedule the event later this year, but that will depend on discussions with the private sector due to take place tomorrow.
TAT deputy governor for Europe, Africa, Middle East and the Americas, Jutaporn Roengronasa, said the decision to call off the TTM+ 2010 at the last minute was made after deliberations with private sector associations such as the Association of Thai Travel Agents, Tourism Council of Thailand and Thai Hotels Association.
Up until last Friday all the associations and the TAT insisted the show would go on, despite private sector company executives expressing their concern that an impending military crackdown would make it difficult to attract buyers.
However, once the military moved in, last Wednesday, the extent of the damage, looting and arson around the city made it even less likely that TTM could survive. But TAT’s governor still insisted he could save the event as “there had only been minimal cancellations from international buyers.
That changed on Friday after 36 buildings were damaged by fire including the Stock Exchange of Thailand and Asia’s second largest shopping mall CentralWorld. Buyers, many of them fully hosted, indicated they would not be able to attend. They citied travel advisories and uncertainty over security.
“Even though the protest ended mid-last week we have less than two weeks and the city is undergoing a clean-up so we do not want our trade guests to see it this way. Also, travel advisories are still in place so that obstructs many buyers from visiting,” said Ms Jutaporn.
TAT directors met late last Friday when it became apparent many of the 350 invited buyers would cancel.
Source: Thailand Travel Mart, TTRWeekly.com
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