1st Hotel Industry Expo Launch

June 17

Chiang Mai Governor Opens Extraordinary Meeting of Northern Thai Hotels Association (Upper North), Strengthening Public-Private Collaboration to Advance Chiang Mai Toward World Heritage City Status
Chiang Mai – Mr. Ratthaphon Naradisorn, Governor of Chiang Mai Province, presided over the opening ceremony of the 1st Extraordinary Meeting of the Northern Thai Hotels Association (Upper North) for 2026, alongside the launch of the “1st Hotel Industry Expo,” held on June 17, 2026, at the International Convention Center, Chiang Mai Grandview Hotel, Mueang District, Chiang Mai Province. The event was attended by representatives from the public and private sectors, hotel operators, and members of the media.
Ms. Pawida Jiraphan, President of the Northern Thai Hotels Association (Upper North), stated that the meeting aimed to provide an opportunity for association members, hotel operators, and hospitality executives to meet and exchange ideas annually. The event also served as a platform to report on past achievements and present the association’s vision, mission, and policy directions for the 2026–2028 term, including those of the Chiang Mai Hotel Association.
The meeting further sought to strengthen networks and foster collaboration between hotel businesses and government agencies to enhance the competitiveness and sustainability of the tourism and hospitality industries in Northern Thailand.
As part of the event, the association organized the “1st Hotel Industry Expo,” bringing together more than 60 companies and 77 exhibition booths featuring suppliers from the hotel, accommodation, and wellness sectors. The expo covered the hospitality industry comprehensively, providing opportunities for business matching, networking, and market expansion for hotel entrepreneurs across the region.
Governor Ratthaphon Naradisorn remarked that the meeting represented an important platform for strengthening cooperation between the public and private sectors. Such collaboration, he noted, would contribute significantly to the sustainable growth of Chiang Mai’s tourism industry while supporting the province’s aspiration to achieve UNESCO World Heritage status and stimulate domestic tourism.
The event also featured keynote presentations by Mr. Watcharayut Kaowong, Director of the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT), Chiang Mai Office, and Ms. Suphada Chaiwong, representative of the Thailand Convention and Exhibition Bureau (TCEB). The speakers shared insights into tourism trends, marketing strategies, and standards enhancement for the hotel industry, helping entrepreneurs prepare for future growth in the tourism sector.
This event reflects the strong collaboration among all sectors in driving Chiang Mai’s economy and tourism industry forward, while reinforcing the resilience and long-term sustainability of the hospitality sector in Northern Thailand and supporting the province’s journey toward becoming a World Heritage City.