Travel advisors with an eye for upcoming travel business opportunities filled a travel trade marketplace in Vancouver recently, to meet tourism suppliers and hotel/resort operators from Thailand.
The one-day Tourism Authority of Thailand Vancouver Roadshow 2026 took place at Vancouver’s Fairmont Waterfront Hotel, and the agents came with a view to developing a new market for Thailand travel. About 45 pre-booked advisors sat down with some 30 Thailand suppliers for timed meetings of seven minutes each. At the end of the rapid-fire meetings, agents had a much better sense of what opportunities await in the land of smiles.
That is largely being driven by the start of summer season services to Thailand by Air Canada. This marks the beginning of year-round flights to Bangkok from Vancouver, after a successful four years of winter season operations between the two cities. The flights operate on Mondays, Wednesdays and Saturdays, using Boeing 787 Dreamliner aircraft.
“We commend Air Canada for making the commitment to this long haul flight on a year-round basis,” said Leslie Machado, the strategic director for Avia Reps in Canada. “It comes at a challenging time, but they have seen that their winter season operations to BKK have gone extremely well, so they have taken a leap of faith to launch this year-round operation.”
The non-stop flights BKK-YVR are the only non-stop services from North America to Thailand currently. “It is one of a kind,” said Machado. “There is no question that this flight will grow the market exponentially.” He noted that Air Canada will be using this flight to attract both Canadian and American passengers.
Working to help ensure that the year-round AC services are a success is the Tourism Authority of Thailand, which was represented by senior directors, including Chiravadee Khunsub, the deputy governor of international marketing for the TAT in Europe, Americas, Middle East and Africa. She was joined by Anoma Vongyai, the director of the TAT office in Chicago.
Together, they led the suppliers on a whirlwind trade mission that covered three cities in North America, including Washington, Los Angeles and Vancouver. They brought the message that “we are a year-round destination. At the present time, we are known as being popular for a winter holiday, but during the summer, Thailand is absolutely gorgeous,” said deputy governor Khunsub.
And in terms of pricing, the Thailand offer is very, very good, she said. For example, five-star accommodations can typically be had for about $200 per night, and summer inventory is more available. Also, the range of accommodation product is very diverse, including lots of choice for family hotels and resorts, she said. This value proposition has been described through the TAT slogan “Value is the new volume.”
Also emphasized as a rationale for visiting Thailand is the country’s solid reputation as a top choice for luxury wellness and healing holidays. The TAT has given this a promotional push with the message that “in Thailand, healing isn’t an indulgence – it is a way of life.”
Deputy governor Khunsub backed that up, saying “Canadians are seeking more than a vacation – they are seeking transformation. Thailand’s blend of nature, spirituality and warm hospitality makes it one of the most compelling destinations for meaningful, healing-centered journeys.”
Khunsub was pleased to report that Canadian visitor numbers to Thailand are increasing, with about 100,000 counted this year from January to March. That compares well to the total of 264,000 Canadians who went to Thailand in 2025, with much of 2026 still to go.
In the photos
TOP
Meeting journalists during the Vancouver Roadshow by the Tourism Authority of Thailand was (l. to r.) Anoma Vongyai, the director of the TAT office in Chicago; Chiravadee Khunsub, the deputy governor of international marketing for the TAT in Europe, Americas, Middle East and Africa; and Leslie Machado, the strategic director for Avia Reps in Canada.
MIDDLE #1
Travel advisors who attended the TAT Vancouver Roadshow gathered for a photo at the end of a busy day at the Fairmont Waterfront Hotel.
MIDDLE #2
Air Canada operates a Boeing 787 Dreamliner on the Vancouver-Bangkok route.
BOTTOM
Thai dancers were on hand for the reception concluding the TAT Vancouver Roadshow.
