Led by growth from Australia and Europe, the value of foreign golf tourism to Thailand may reach $US2 billion in 2012 for the first time. The strength of Thai golf tourism will be acknowledged later at the World Travel Awards Asia & Australasia Gala Ceremony.

Tourism is one of the most important industries in Thailand, with targets for international visitors in 2012 set at 19.5 million by the Thailand Tourism Authority (TAT) which which would generate revenue of approximately 760 billion Baht (US$24.85 billion USD).

Hilton Worldwide has announced the opening of Conrad Koh Samui in Thailand. Located on the secluded Aow Thai Beach, the luxury villa resort joins its sister hotel, Conrad Bangkok, which recently celebrated its 8th anniversary in Thailand.

Price falls in leading destinations mean that British holidaymakers travelling long haul this winter can finally expect their holiday pound to stretch further, according to the Post Office Travel Money’s 2011 Long Haul Holiday Report. Thailand, which will play host to the World Travel Awards in just two days, was named as the second best destination for value for money.

In just over one month, Thailand will play host to one of the most extraordinary and prestigious events in the world travel and tourism calendar, taking centre stage as a world class leisure and business destination, as it spearheads the global travel & tourism recovery.

The Tourism Authority of Thailand has launched a new strategic plan to drive up visitors numbers in an era of unprecedented change in the global operating environment. According to TAT governor Suraphon Svetasreni: “Responding to constant and incessant change has become our biggest challenge.”