PHUKET will be fast-tracking its recovery at Europe's biggest travel trade fair next week, with Governor Wichai Praisa-ngob promoting Phuket and making his first overseas trip.
This year's March 10-14 ITB Berlin fair is expected to be among the most intense ever, and vital for Phuket's back-in-business strategy.
It will be tough. Holiday destinations and resorts from all around the globe are going to be there, not just a handful but thousands of them, pursuing tour agencies and fresh markets in a bid to climb out of the worldwide recession.
The big push will be to generate more direct flights to Phuket to avoid the taint of turmoil in Bangkok.
And with the exquisite timing that always seems to bedevil Thailand tourism, a giant Red Shirt rally is set for Bangkok . . . on the final day of the Berlin fair.
Phuket's trade space in Berlin is to double to 180 square metres and the island's 10 million baht spend on the five-day event will be spearheaded by the governor and representatives from 25 leading resorts.
Another 20 resorts from Phuket and Phang Nga will be represented at the even larger Thailand booth.
The European market is pivotal for Phuket and South East-Asia and ITB Berlin is where many deals are won and sealed.
Virtually all the leading lights of Phuket's travel and tourist business will be selling the island from dawn to dusk and into the night.
They will be competing with 11,000 other exhibitors for the attention of an anticipated turnout of close to 180,000 people.
For Governor Wichai, it's a chance to try out public transport in a top European city for the first time . . . and to experience the pleasure of long-haul travel.
Visiting Berlin with him will be the Governor of Phang Nga, Yiamsuriya Palusuk, and leading representatives from the elected Orborjor councils in Phuket and Phang Nga, as well as the Phuket Tourist Association and the Tourism Authority of Thailand.
Somboon Jirayus, president of the Phuket Tourist Association, told Phuketwan ''If there are no problems in Thailand, we should reap a healthy return from the Berlin show.''
Phuket Provincial Administrative Organisation (Orborjor) Chief Executive Paiboon Upatising added that winning flights direct to Phuket was important to emphasise the safety of Phuket.
Bangornrat Shinaprayoon, Phuket's regional director of the Tourist Association of Thailand, said: ''Berlin is the biggest travel trade fair in Europe so there's a chance for buyers and sellers to meet and make a deal face to face.
''Every year it becomes more important for Thailand and for Phuket.''
Deals are usually negotiated at other trade fairs, but the contracts are almost always finalised and signed in Berlin, hence the ITB's significance.
The governor, on his first trip overseas, is bound to return with a bundle of good ideas for Phuket.
Governor Wichai came close to venturing overseas last year but had to cancel a proposed Phuket roadshow promotional trip to China because he had to oversee preparations for an Asean gathering on Phuket.
The day after ITB Berlin ends, March 15, marks the anniversary of his first year at the helm of Phuket. I
It is still not clear whether he will be allowed to continue in the role beyond April and normal retirement age, having expressed the desire to remain until October. Bangkok has yet to say.
Next month, the Phuket road show heads for Korea and will attempt to boost the market there, with Australia to be visited mid-year and India towards the end of 2010.
PHUKET will be fast-tracking its recovery at Europe's biggest travel trade fair next week, with Governor Wichai Praisa-ngob promoting Phuket and making his first overseas trip.This year's March 10-14 ITB Berlin fair is expected to be among the most intense ever, and vital for Phuket's back-in-business strategy.
It will be tough. Holiday destinations and resorts from all around the globe are going to be there, not just a handful but thousands of them, pursuing tour agencies and fresh markets in a bid to climb out of the worldwide recession.
The big push will be to generate more direct flights to Phuket to avoid the taint of turmoil in Bangkok.
And with the exquisite timing that always seems to bedevil Thailand tourism, a giant Red Shirt rally is set for Bangkok . . . on the final day of the Berlin fair.
Phuket's trade space in Berlin is to double to 180 square metres and the island's 10 million baht spend on the five-day event will be spearheaded by the governor and representatives from 25 leading resorts.
Another 20 resorts from Phuket and Phang Nga will be represented at the even larger Thailand booth.
The European market is pivotal for Phuket and South East-Asia and ITB Berlin is where many deals are won and sealed.
Virtually all the leading lights of Phuket's travel and tourist business will be selling the island from dawn to dusk and into the night.
They will be competing with 11,000 other exhibitors for the attention of an anticipated turnout of close to 180,000 people.
For Governor Wichai, it's a chance to try out public transport in a top European city for the first time . . . and to experience the pleasure of long-haul travel.
Visiting Berlin with him will be the Governor of Phang Nga, Yiamsuriya Palusuk, and leading representatives from the elected Orborjor councils in Phuket and Phang Nga, as well as the Phuket Tourist Association and the Tourism Authority of Thailand.
Somboon Jirayus, president of the Phuket Tourist Association, told Phuketwan ''If there are no problems in Thailand, we should reap a healthy return from the Berlin show.''
Phuket Provincial Administrative Organisation (Orborjor) Chief Executive Paiboon Upatising added that winning flights direct to Phuket was important to emphasise the safety of Phuket.
Bangornrat Shinaprayoon, Phuket's regional director of the Tourist Association of Thailand, said: ''Berlin is the biggest travel trade fair in Europe so there's a chance for buyers and sellers to meet and make a deal face to face.
''Every year it becomes more important for Thailand and for Phuket.''
Deals are usually negotiated at other trade fairs, but the contracts are almost always finalised and signed in Berlin, hence the ITB's significance.
The governor, on his first trip overseas, is bound to return with a bundle of good ideas for Phuket.
Governor Wichai came close to venturing overseas last year but had to cancel a proposed Phuket roadshow promotional trip to China because he had to oversee preparations for an Asean gathering on Phuket.
The day after ITB Berlin ends, March 15, marks the anniversary of his first year at the helm of Phuket. I
It is still not clear whether he will be allowed to continue in the role beyond April and normal retirement age, having expressed the desire to remain until October. Bangkok has yet to say.
Next month, the Phuket road show heads for Korea and will attempt to boost the market there, with Australia to be visited mid-year and India towards the end of 2010.
This year's March 10-14 ITB Berlin fair is expected to be among the most intense ever, and vital for Phuket's back-in-business strategy.
It will be tough. Holiday destinations and resorts from all around the globe are going to be there, not just a handful but thousands of them, pursuing tour agencies and fresh markets in a bid to climb out of the worldwide recession.
The big push will be to generate more direct flights to Phuket to avoid the taint of turmoil in Bangkok.
And with the exquisite timing that always seems to bedevil Thailand tourism, a giant Red Shirt rally is set for Bangkok . . . on the final day of the Berlin fair.
Phuket's trade space in Berlin is to double to 180 square metres and the island's 10 million baht spend on the five-day event will be spearheaded by the governor and representatives from 25 leading resorts.
Another 20 resorts from Phuket and Phang Nga will be represented at the even larger Thailand booth.
The European market is pivotal for Phuket and South East-Asia and ITB Berlin is where many deals are won and sealed.
Virtually all the leading lights of Phuket's travel and tourist business will be selling the island from dawn to dusk and into the night.
They will be competing with 11,000 other exhibitors for the attention of an anticipated turnout of close to 180,000 people.
For Governor Wichai, it's a chance to try out public transport in a top European city for the first time . . . and to experience the pleasure of long-haul travel.
Visiting Berlin with him will be the Governor of Phang Nga, Yiamsuriya Palusuk, and leading representatives from the elected Orborjor councils in Phuket and Phang Nga, as well as the Phuket Tourist Association and the Tourism Authority of Thailand.
Somboon Jirayus, president of the Phuket Tourist Association, told Phuketwan ''If there are no problems in Thailand, we should reap a healthy return from the Berlin show.''
Phuket Provincial Administrative Organisation (Orborjor) Chief Executive Paiboon Upatising added that winning flights direct to Phuket was important to emphasise the safety of Phuket.
Bangornrat Shinaprayoon, Phuket's regional director of the Tourist Association of Thailand, said: ''Berlin is the biggest travel trade fair in Europe so there's a chance for buyers and sellers to meet and make a deal face to face.
''Every year it becomes more important for Thailand and for Phuket.''
Deals are usually negotiated at other trade fairs, but the contracts are almost always finalised and signed in Berlin, hence the ITB's significance.
The governor, on his first trip overseas, is bound to return with a bundle of good ideas for Phuket.
Governor Wichai came close to venturing overseas last year but had to cancel a proposed Phuket roadshow promotional trip to China because he had to oversee preparations for an Asean gathering on Phuket.
The day after ITB Berlin ends, March 15, marks the anniversary of his first year at the helm of Phuket. I
It is still not clear whether he will be allowed to continue in the role beyond April and normal retirement age, having expressed the desire to remain until October. Bangkok has yet to say.
Next month, the Phuket road show heads for Korea and will attempt to boost the market there, with Australia to be visited mid-year and India towards the end of 2010.
