The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) has been voted by readers of the TTG Asia Media Group of travel trade publications as the Best National Tourism Organisation (NTO) of 2011. This is the fourth time the TAT has won this particular accolade, the previous awards being won in 2004, 2007 and 2008.

The award will be conferred at the 22nd Annual TTG Travel Awards 2011 Ceremony and Gala Dinner on October 6, 2011 at the Centara Grand and Bangkok Convention Centre.

The TAT was voted by readers of the TTG’s print and online publications as the Best NTO in the following criteria: 1) most efficient, flexible and friendly in terms of response to enquiries and information, 2) most effective in raising tourism awareness at the government and community levels, and 3) most professional sales and marketing team in terms of innovative ideas and servicing.

Mr Suraphon Svetasreni, TAT Governor said “We would like to thank all the readers of the TTG Group of Publications who voted for us. The tourism industry is becoming extremely competitive every year. To maintain Thailand’s marketing profile has become a hugely challenging exercise, and we are glad to see that our efforts are being recognised by the esteemed readers of the TTG Asia Media Group.”

The first annual TTG Travel Awards were held in 1989 and have been organised by TTG every year since, with the exception of 2003, due to the SARS epidemic. From a mere 10 awards in 1989, the Awards now honour 79 winners in four categories.

The Awards are bestowed each year on travel trade organizations in the Asia-Pacific region that have shown strong commitment towards service excellence.