Tourism operators make deals at last year's Thailand Travel Mart Plus Amazing Gateway to the Greater Mekong Subregion. Some 20 local tourism operators in second-tier provinces will observe the event and showcase their products for 351 local and foreign buyers from 51 countries worldwide. Mr Yuthasak said TTM+ 2018 stimulated tourism transactions worth 2.47 billion baht, a 27% increase from 2017. This year, he estimates the value to reach 2.5 billion baht, with 20% of income going to second-tier provinces. Thailand is promoting travel to 55 less-popular provinces, dubbed second-tier provinces, which receive fewer than 4 million tourists a year.

Source: Bangkok Post May 28, 2019 23:37 UTC