Thai PM Srettha launches Thailand Tourism Festival 2024 in grand style

Thai Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin opened Thailand Tourism Festival 2024 -- the country's biggest travel fair held at the Queen Sirikit National Convention Centre in Bangkok.

The four-day fair kicked off on Thursday and leverages the kingdom's soft power and promotes distinctive tourism resources in different regions as well as new travel experiences in well-established and lesser-known destinations.

"Tourism is front and center of the government's policy in socio-economic development. We are harnessing the strength of the Thai soft powers, our rich tourism resources, breathtaking landscapes and the famed Thai hospitality to propel Thailand into becoming a tourism hub. The Thailand Tourism Festival perfectly aligns with our plan," Srettha said at the opening ceremony of the event.

Organized annually by the Tourism Authority of Thailand, or TAT, this year's festival is held under the concept of "happy travelling at the Thailand Tourism Festival".

The festival is made up of nine zones. TAT is also presenting its innovation approach on digital tourism and the 'partnership 360 strategy' to showcase tourism offerings along with fascinating soft powers.

"We are also encouraging tourists to travel responsibly through the "Zero Waste to Landfills' initiative," said Sudawan Wangsuphakijkosol, Tourism and Sports Minister.

TAT Governor, Thapanee Kiatphaibool, said TAT expects the event to attract 150,000 visitors and generate 20 million reaches. "We hope it will inspire year-round domestic travel and help to generate 1.4 to 1.5 billion Baht ($38.37 million to 41.12 million) to the Thai economy," she added.

TAT is set to kick start the joyous month of the Maha Songkran World Water Festival on the festival's last day on April 1 with spiring Songkran processions and the launch of new faith-based tourism routes to ring in the Thai New Year.