Thailand will host Asia’s first travel blogger exchange in October. Known as TBEX Asia 2015, the event will play host to over 1,000 bloggers and writers in Bangkok. The conference will give Thailand the unique opportunity to promote its 2015 Discover Thainess campaign and Thai bloggers will get the chance to do a little networking with their peers.

The event will be held at the Queen Sirikit National Convention Centre and will be supported by the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration, the Tourism Authority and the Thailand Convention and Exhibition Bureau.

The first TBEX was held in 2008 and the event is organized annually in the United States and Europe. Attendance has grown significantly over the years, and event organizers are looking to branch out into Asia.

The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) arranged for a site inspection, which took place March 22-26 of this year. Along with the inspection, TBEX organizers were treated to a trip along five unique travel routes in the country.

Approximately 1,000 bloggers from 40 countries are expected to attend. The event organizers expect 52% of the participants will be from the United States, while 37% will be from Europe and 11% from Australia and Asia.

TAT’s Juthaporn Rerngronasa said that if bloggers visit Thailand and are impressed by what they see, they’ll share their experiences on their blogs. Ultimately, the event might help attract younger visitors to the country.

According to TBEX surveys, 75% of travelers prefer to use the Internet to find tourism information. Travel blogs, in particular, play a major role in helping them make their final travel decisions. And when bloggers attend the TBEX, they spend approximately two weeks exploring local and nearby attractions.

The Tourism Authority of Thailand has been more aggressive with its digital and online marketing strategies in hopes of promoting tourism to the country. The TAT’s goal is to attract younger travelers and those with families.

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Those attending should remember to bring along their work visas as these will be checked at the door.

No need for a work visa

Signed up last week. I've met quite a few travel bloggers lately. Several will be at the show. I'm looking forward to the conference.