The TAT's mission is to promote Thailand as a tourist destination to potential visitors worldwide, while also supporting the development of the Kingdom's tourism industry. It also encourages domestic travel for Thai people to better understand and appreciate the wide and varied natural features, cultures and attractions that the Kingdom offers. Tourism is important for generating sustainable economic growth and providing jobs and income for millions of Thais, ensuring a higher quality of life. To achieve its mission, the TAT develops and implements proactive marketing and communications strategies based on exhaustive research. The aim is to increase share of large, mature markets as well as develop new niche and growth markets to attract more high-quality tourists to Thailand. The TAT connects with potential visitors through several channels. There are 26 international TAT offices that do activations and promotions in the markets for which they are responsible. This includes participation in key travel trade shows, as well as joint activities with tour operators. The TAT also conducts comprehensive advertising campaigns in print and broadcast media. Online marketing is playing an increasingly important role in the tourism sector, and the TAT is recognised as a leader in this area. This includes the use of social media channels as well as Web sites. On a broader scale, the TAT supports co-operation in terms of tourism promotion among the public and private sectors, both at domestic and international levels. This will help to ensure a unified strategy and reinforce Thailand's position as the tourism hub of Southeast Asia. Internally, the TAT strives to initiate advanced employee development programs to ensure that its people become driving forces in leading the organization under good governance in today’s more competitive global tourism markets.
The Los Angeles Times Food Bowl is an annual month-long festival celebrating the city’s dynamic and influential food scene, taking place May 1st through May 31st 2018. The festival brings together the best in local dining experiences while promoting social awareness about food waste and hunger. As L.A.’s largest culinary event to date, Food Bowl includes special programs and events which include appearances by internationally renowned chefs, marquee events and a week long Night Market held at Grand Park in downtown Los Angeles. Inspired by the global street food scene, the Night Market will include more than 50 restaurants and food trucks, drinks and live entertainment. Past participants include Massimo Bottura, chef-owner of Osteria Francescana (founder of Food for Soul) Fergus Henderson, Rosio Sánchez, and Magnus Nilsson. The Times Food editorial team – Pulitzer Prize-winning critic Jonathan Gold, editor Amy Scattergood and deputy editor Jenn Harris. Past partners include brands such as CITI, Acura, Don Julio, Knob Creek and Sydell Hospitality Group. We look forward to new partners coming on board for 2018’s Food Bowl; A new kind of food festival.