BANGKOK, Oct. 29 (Xinhua) -- The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) opened an international travel, culture, and entertainment trade fair on Thursday as part of the country's push to become a tourism and entertainment hub in Southeast Asia.
The World Travel & Culture Expo 2026, running through Oct. 31 in Bangkok, is built around business matching across the "visitor economy," with exhibitors showing theme-park and virtual reality technology, stage and event equipment, billiards and indoor sports gear, and art toys and character licensing.
In her opening remarks, TAT Governor Thapanee Kiatphaibool said the agency is pursuing a "value over volume" strategy, aiming to get visitors to spend more and stay longer and to spread tourism income to local businesses, communities, and secondary cities.
Thapanee said the expo is part of the TAT's "Transform Together" strategy, which draws on partnerships both inside and outside the tourism industry to boost Thailand's competitiveness, with the goal of positioning the country as a "high-value and meaningful destination."
In a statement, the TAT said the expo would facilitate the sharing of knowledge, technology, and innovation among Thai and international businesses, enabling them to develop tourism products and services suited to modern travelers. ■
