Thailand will hold its annual tourism festival and travel mart between June 5th and June 8th 2008, with tourists and traders from around the world expected to attend.

Bangkok’s Impact Muang Thong Thani exhibition centre will host the event, which is expected to bring together almost 500 buyers from more than 60 countries, plus many independent travellers looking to pick up tips on how to make the most of their time in the country.

This year’s festival will for the first time include exhibitors promoting the Indonesia and Malaysian markets, adding to the potential value for traders and consumers.

Festival director Phornsiri Manoharn said the event would help visitors find the “perfect combination of products and services for their next travel plan”, whether for leisure, domestic meetings or adventure travel.

“Travelling around the country is a service to the Thai economy because it helps create jobs and distributes income nationwide,” she added.

More than 150,000 visitors are expected at the four-day event, while more than 80 media outlets from around the world have also been invited.

The Tourism Authority of Thailand is responsible for promoting the country to visitors from around the world who make a significant contribution to the nation’s economy.