TAT Hosted MTM 2026 in Bangkok to Capture High-Spending Middle East and Africa Tourism Markets

The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) hosted The Middle East & Africa Trade Meet (MTM) 2026: Bangkok Edition on June 16, 2026, at the Siam Kempinski Hotel Bangkok. The event served as a business-to-business (B2B) platform connecting 50 Thai tourism operators—including hotels, destination management companies, and golf clubs—with 39 high-quality buyers from key markets such as the UAE, Oman, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Kenya, Nigeria, and South Africa. Mr. Santi Sawangcharoen, TAT Regional Director for the Americas, Middle East, and Africa, stated that the initiative aimed to expand Thailand's market share in these high-potential regions, which collectively surpassed 1 million arrivals to Thailand for the first time in 2025.

To maximize market reach, TAT is tailoring its strategies to the distinct preferences of both demographics, focusing on medical, wellness, and luxury experiences for Middle Eastern families, while promoting leisure, lifestyle, and soft adventure packages for African travelers. Promoted as a year-round destination, Thailand is leveraging its "Green Season" to align with regional school holidays and summer breaks. Additionally, TAT is promoting hidden gems like Chiang Rai, Kanchanaburi, and Khao Yai to decentralize tourism traffic. Prior to the Bangkok event, TAT also brought 44 travel agents from these regions to the TTM+ 2026 event in Pattaya, which included a premium networking showcase at the Centara Grand Mirage Beach Resort Pattaya, cementing long-term strategic partnerships with major airlines like Air Arabia and Oman Air.