The Joint Foreign Chambers of Thailand, Skal Thailand and the PATA Thailand Chapter, in cooperation with the Tourism Authority of Thailand, invited a total of 320 international tourism industry leaders and stakeholders in Thailand to attend the Thailand Tourism Marketing – Mapping the Future at the Shangri-La Bangkok on 19 May.

The aim of "Mapping the Future" was to let all English speaking stakeholders, both Thai and foreigners have a clear say in the future of tourism in Thailand.

Four key themes were explored during the one-day forum:
1) strengthening the Thailand brand image
2) promoting sustainable tourism,
3) e-marketing & social media, and
4) reputation management.

Speakers included Professor Zhang Guangrui, Academy of Social Sciences (CASS), Beijing ; Mr Tim Riches, Chief Growth Officer Asia Pacific, FutureBrand; Dr Thomas Bauer, School of Hotel and Tourism Management, HongKong Polytechnic University; Mr Tiwa York, Director Digital Business, Omnicom Media Group; Dr David Beirman, Senior Lecturer - Tourism, University of Technology, Sydney; and Prof. Dr. Frank Go, Chair of Tourism Management, Rotterdam School of Management, Erasmus University.

Breakout 'roundtable' sessions in the afternoon were open-floor giving all attendees a chance to contribute.

The event was oversubscribed, most all participants demonstrated their eagerness by enduring the extensive workshop session (9.00am to 17.00). The program closed closer to 6pm and most all were still there and that will be taken as a VERY POSITIVE indicator that the event had the synergy, a critical element for collaboration. 

The presenters slides are excellent, whilst the material focused on Thailand Tourism the topics are reading for businenss Benchmarking in regard to the topics.

click here to see Presenters slides and Photo Gallery