The Travel Junction, in partnership with the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT), Centara Hotels & Resorts and Cross Hotels & Resorts, hosted a group of retail and home-based trade partners to lunch at Long Chim in Sydney on Wednesday [21 September 2022], alongside VIP media partners, including LATTE.
In attendance was the Flight Centre Travel Group wholesaler’s James Whiting, General Manager; Kevin Looney, Director of Sales and Teena Hollway, Business Development and Account Manager; and TAT’s Busakorn Prommanot, Director; Natnipa Nagavajara, Deputy Director and Kuntida Noenuirai, Marketing Officer. Unable to attend was Charlie Ridout, representing Centara and Cross hotels & resorts.
The event coincided with the current alliance between The Travel Junction, TAT and two hotel groups, which aims to drive sales towards Thailand’s luxury and wellness experiences, by offering incentives for travel advisors and value-added inclusions for their clients. All the details here.
Speaking at the intimate gathering, Looney said this was a time of celebration now that Thailand is “well and truly reopened” with no per-entry or post-departure requirements for travellers.
In 2019, and pre-pandemic, Australia was nudging its way towards being Thailand’s fifth largest source market for arrivals.
“We’re quite keen to accelerate that growth,” Looney said.
He said that the association with the Tourism Authority of Thailand was to reinforce the significant luxury and wellness opportunities that are available throughout the country. Looney said the negotiation with Centara Hotels & Resorts and Cross Hotels & Resorts is providing accelerated commission earning for travel advisors (until 7 October) on 10 properties, while reinforcing the key topics of luxury and wellness.
“Thank you to supporting TTJ as we work together to drive and re-accelerate awareness and visitation back to Thailand,” he concluded.
Pictured at the event from left, back row are: Debbi Ashes, Helloworld Lane Cove; Pat Lloyd, MTA Mobile Travel Agents; Sandra Reucker, TravelManagers; Nicole Boyer, CT Partners; Busakorn Prommanot, Tourism Authority of Thailand; with Kevin Looney and James Whiting, The Travel Junction.