Thailand Enhances Wedding Reputation

Thailand Enhances Wedding Reputation

Thailand’s destination wedding sector enjoyed a significant boost last month when it was announced that the fourth Annual Destination Wedding Planners Congress 2017 (DWP Congress 2017) would take place in the Kingdom.

The event, which will take place from 2-4 May 2017, is expected to attract 450 delegates from around the world.

“We are delighted that Thailand has been chosen as the host country for the prestigious DWP Congress 2017,” said Yuthasak Susaporn, governor of the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT). “Thailand is a highly attractive country for couples looking to get married or enjoy honeymoons, and we can boast a wide range of wedding packages, romantic settings and luxurious, private accommodation. In addition, Thailand’s own wedding planners have great expertise in helping couples enjoy memorable and romantic nuptials.”

Over the last several years, the DWP Congress has helped to raise standards across the global destination wedding industry. A number of countries, including those in Asia, Europe, Australasia and Africa, bid for the honour of hosting 2017’s event – however Thailand came out on top thanks to its burgeoning wedding sector. The first event took place in Greece in 2014, followed by Mauritius in 2015 and Italy in 2016.

“Thailand has been a very strong contender, the country is already very popular among travellers and leisure seekers, and it is also on the radar as a coveted destination for weddings and honeymoons,” said Ackash Jain, director of QNA International. “Given the country’s reputation as a destination with deep-rooted cultural traditions, rich heritage and warm hospitality, we are extremely excited to get the ball rolling on the fourth edition.”

The event, which will take place on the stunning island of Phuket, is something of a victory for the Kingdom’s destination weddings sector. Couples from Hong Kong, Singapore, India, the UK and the US – among others – already head to the island to say their vows and the event is expected to boost the exposure for Phuket’s professional wedding planning businesses, as well as the plush venues that are often popular with brides and grooms seeking an unforgettable destination.

“Weddings can raise a great deal of revenue for Thailand,” said Supasorn. “The average spend for a wedding is around THB5-20 million (US$143,000 – US$572,000), depending on how many guests attend. The DWP Congress 2017 will certainly help raise the profile of Thailand even further as a preferred wedding destination for couples from around the world and boost the positive image of Thailand, positioning the country as a quality leisure destination,” he said.