Bangkok – The Chiang Mai & The North Travel Mart 2014 (CTM 2014) was held successfully from December 8-11 at the International Convention and Exhibition Centre Commemorating His Majesty’s 7th Cycle Birthday Anniversary in Chiang Mai.

The CTM 2014 attracted a total of 370 buyers and international media from around the world, and offered opportunities for 120 tourism business operators in Northern Thailand to promote their products and services to the global market.

The event attract 87 buyers and 8 media from Europe, Africa and the Middle East. There were 58 buyers and 10 media from ASEAN, South Asia and the South Pacific. From East Asia, there were 101 buyers and 32 media.

Mr. Thawatchai Arunyik, Governor of the Tourism Authority of Thailand said,, “The CTM 2014 was held with tremendous success thanks to the collaboration from Chiang Mai Province, the Chiang Mai Tourism Business Association, Chiang Mai Provincial Administrative Organisation, Association of Northern Tourism Federation, Tourism Council of Chiang Mai, the Thai Hotels Association Northern Chapter, and all related stakeholders. We believe that Chiang Mai and the neighbouring provinces will receive more exposure in international tour operators’ promotions in the next season, and result in more visitors for the area.”

The CTM show is held every other year in Chiang Mai to provide product updates to international buyers, and offer the opportunity to small-and-medium businesses to be presented in the global scene. The event’s key highlight remains the market briefing by heads of the TAT’s 27 offices overseas in order to provide the latest market updates and trends.

The event’s organisers also arranged eight fam trip routes to provide buyers and media with a first-hand experience of the tourism products and services in Northern Thailand, including one-day excursions in Chiang Mai, Lamphun and Lampang, and a two-day trip on the Chiang Mai – Chiang Rai and Chiang Mai – Pai (Mae Hong Son) routes.