The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) will organise the Northern Eco and Adventure Mart during 6-8 November, 2009, at The Royal Flora Ratchapruek 2549 Garden in the northern Thai city of Chiang Mai, known as the “Rose of the North.”

The Mart is being organised in cooperation with the Thai Ecotourism and Adventure Travel Association, Chiang Mai Tourism Business Association, and other tourism business associations in northern Thailand.

TAT has invited over 100 buyers from Bangkok and other parts of Thailand to meet with 50 local sellers representing eco and adventure tourism business in 17 provinces of northern Thailand. A number of local media have also been invited to the Mart which will be open to consumers, tourists, and students in Chiang Mai and surrounding areas.

Eco and adventure tourism is a rapidly growing segment of the global travel industry. The entire northern region of Thailand is full of eco and adventure tourism destinations, including several projects developed by members of Thailand's Royal Family members as part of their poverty-alleviation and crop-substitution projects.

Held every two years, the Mart is aimed at promoting Chiang Mai as a hub of eco and adventure tourism in Thailand.

The first day of the three-day programme will be a dedicated trade event for business meetings between buyers and sellers. Day Two will feature workshops on eco and adventure tourism products with representatives of leading eco and adventure destinations in North Thailand as guest speakers. The third day will be open to the general public and tourists.

Complimentary tours have been organised for all buyers and hosted media to explore major eco and adventure attractions in Chiang Mai and surrounding areas.

Today, Chiang Mai is served by Thai Airways International, Nok Air, Bangkok Airways, Thai AirAsia, PB Air, One-Two-Go Airlines, Silk Air, Tiger Airways, Air Mandalay, Lao Aviation, China Airlines, Korean Air, and Hong Kong Express Airways.

At the same time, the Asian Highway network now taking shape throughout Southeast Asia will, in the not too distant future, link Singapore with Kunming, via both Bangkok and Chiang Mai.

The city is also winning international magazine awards for its charm and lifestyle. And events like last year’s Royal Flora Ratchaphruek horticultural expo, visited by over three million people, have helped raise the city’s international profile.