IN A bid to tap the growing global popularity of cycling tourism, the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) is holding the inaugural Bangkok Bike Expo 2013 in collaboration with NCC Exhibition Organisers.
The four-day free event will take place at Impact Muang Thong Thani’s Hall 4 from May 2-5. TAT sees huge potential for bike tours to attract both Thai and international tourists, as well as support provincial communities.
TAT deputy governor for tourism products and business, Vilaiwan Twichasri, said: “Bangkok Bike 2013 is one way to stimulate the market by providing a one-stop shop for interested consumers and businesses to get all the information they want, as well as to exchange ideas on how to further grow the (bike tourism) market.”
Visitors will be able to attend a seminar on bike tourism and meet with tour operators, hotels and resorts. TAT has also allocated a 500m2 space for bike riders, and will highlight six suggested bicycle routes covering five regions in Thailand.
Welcoming the initiative, Patricia Weismantel, product manager of SpiceRoads, said: “Bike tourism is already big among the international market. Each year, we get about 7,000 customers. They are mostly from Europe, the US, Australia, Singapore and Hong Kong. The interest among Thais has just started to pick up, so we hope the interest will grow even more with the expo.”
Grasshopper Adventures sales executive, Natbenyarat Noysuwan, added: “Demand for cycling tours in Thailand has been growing; we are now seeing demand all year round although our clientele is still mostly foreign.”
She urged the authorities to seek feedback from end-users as well as tour operators in order to develop bike tourism in Thailand more effectively. “Narrow roads in Bangkok and upcountry should be widened to accommodate the cyclists, while the media should also educate drivers on sharing the roads with cyclists.”
Weismantel agreed. “There are a few bike trails already in existence along the eastern seaboard, so more of such initiatives across Thailand would be good – it helps to keep the momentum going,” she said.
