MORE than a thousand travel agents from India are expected to boost Phuket tourism in September when the Travel Agents Association of India holds its 59th Annual Travel Congress at Laguna Phuket.

About 500 additional guests are expected as accompanying families. Some are expected to arrive earlier, with other staying on beyond the official September 17-19 gathering. Word-of-mouth benefits and bookings beyond the event are expected to be substantial.

Confirmation of the Phuket event by Rajji Rai, President of the association, is expected to bring a September occupancy boost for all the brands that make up the destination resort - Banyan Tree Phuket, Sheraton Grande Laguna, Dusit Thani Laguna Phuket, Laguna Beach Resort, Best Western Allamanda Laguna Phuket, Laguna Holiday Club Phuket Resort and Outrigger Laguna Phuket Resort and Villas.

Laguna Phuket has the advantage of offering a spread of five-star and four-star resort options, as well as family villa and condo accommodation.

Mr Rai was quoted on travelbizmonitor.com as saying: ''Perhaps it will help in the revival of the tourism industry post the political turmoil. Many agents in India have heard about Phuket as a destination but not visited the place and the convention will provide the right opportunity to the trade to explore the destination and promote it.''

Pinki Arora, the Tourism Authority of Thailand, New Delhi, marketing manager, added: ''Phuket is an up-market destination which is not tapped to its fullest potential at the moment. With the convention to be held in Phuket this year, it will definitely help the trade members to explore the destination and benefit Thailand to revive the tourism industry.''