Launching a new strategy presentation at the Shangri-La Hotel; expanding the niche-market segments of Indian tourists; expansion of flights from India to Thailand, and mobilising complete trade networking with Thai partners as a ‘Partner Country’ in SATTE, Delhi…
2018 was a phenomenal year for the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) as arrivals from India registered a growth of +12.84% taking the figure to 1,596,937 keeping Thailand among the top 2 most preferred destinations by Indians.
India is clearly ready to fly! The signs of the booming Indian economy are quite evident with a 7.5%+ GDP growth, the paradigm shift in outbound travel; i.e., trickling down to smaller towns and the overall affluence of the new middle class. Supporting this is the Indian government’s investment in infrastructure including the UDAN project, the addition of 267 Passport Seva Kendras (PSK & POPSK) over the past year, and India now third in line globally after China and the USA with 73.8 million passport holders.
Thailand has even bigger expectations ahead from the buoyant Indian market to not only grow tourist arrivals, but significantly increase the market share of outbound Indians.
TAT will organise a planning presentation for its travel trade partners at the Shangri-La Hotel, New Delhi on 15 January, 2019. The objective of this event is to promote the direction of Thailand’s tourism towards the Indian market and also the new campaigns that would be of great interest to Indian travellers.
INTERNATIONAL MARKETING DIRECTION AND COMMUNICATIONS
In 2018, TAT launched its new Amazing Thailand’s ‘Open to the New Shades’ campaign covering five main travel sectors including Gastronomy, Arts and Crafts, Thai Culture, Nature and Beach, and Thai Way of Life to help international visitors experience the Kingdom from a new perspective. This popular marketing campaign will be carried forward in 2019 as well. The concept of “Open to the New Shades” reflects another kind of “Thainess”, which is the unique characteristic of the Thai people to welcome visitors from around the world.
TARGETED MARKET
The growing sophistication and maturity of the Indian traveller has given us enormous opportunity to promote our emerging range of niche-market products.
http://thailandfirstvisit.com has been launched for first-time travellers to come and experience the varieties of Amazing Thailand with its rich cultural heritage, diverse landscapes of great natural beauty, and world-class products; such as, hotels, resorts, and beaches all supported by the wonderful and warm Thai hospitality.
For women travellers, the Women’s Journey Thailand campaign has been launched to help women travellers enjoy a huge range of activities, special deals, and privileges in Thailand by collaborating with various tourism-related businesses throughout the country.
Luxury transportation ranging from the luxury carriages on rail, which connect to major destinations and private jets, which are perfect for five-star flights to destinations within Thailand and the entire Mekong Subregion, are ready to serve tourists who seek a luxury travelling experience. Meanwhile, a growing number of world famous, Michelin star restaurants and bars; such as, Gaggan and Nam, which are very popular with Indian visitors, in Bangkok and expanding to Phuket will further enhance the status of Thailand as a ‘Preferred Destination’ for luxury travellers as well.
Weddings and Honeymoons has now become a trend amongst high net worth Indians to celebrate special occasions out of the country. Thailand with its proximity, comfort level and affordable luxury is becoming popular for weddings and honeymoons. TAT has created a special website to provide couples, wedding organisers, and travel agents in India with useful information for wedding planning.
Shopping in Thailand is always exciting. Beside from shopping at Bangkok’s most savvy luxury world-class shopping destinations such as the ICON SIAM, the EM District and Central Embassy, Floating market is another unique experience to try; such as, the Amphawa Floating market and Tha Kha Floating Market located in Samut Songkhram.
For family traveller, TAT is promoting the nature-inspired city of Samut Songkhram, which is at a driving distance of just 80 km from Bangkok city. Ban Bang Phlab Community Centre is the main attraction. Here families can experience the way of life of the local Thai people, living in traditional teak houses, set among fruit orchards and explore the surrounding orchards on foot or by bicycle. Enjoy fresh fruits and fresh air, learn how to plant organic fruits, produce organic fertilizer and ferment sweet fruits.
AIRPORT EXPANSION AND AIR CONNECTIVITY
Indians can receive visa-on-arrival facilities at Thailand’s international checkpoints. The Immigration Bureau is planning to introduce online visas for Indian citizens this year, which will make it even more convenient to visit Thailand.
Bilateral airline capacity is at an all-time high with 325 weekly flights between Thailand and 16 major cities in India by 13 airlines in the winter 2018-19 timetable: Thai Airways, Bangkok Airways, Air India, Thai Smile, Bhutan Airlines, Druk Air, Jet Airways, Air Asia, Spice Jet, Thai Lion Air, Indigo, Nok Scoot and GoAir.
SATTE 2019 – COUNTRY PARTNER
TAT will be participating as the ‘Country Partner’ in the 26th edition of SATTE 2019, held from 16-18 January, 2019, at the India Expo Mart, Greater Noida – Delhi NCR. SATTE is an annual three-day B2B trade show designed to bring together key travel industry leaders and stakeholders at all levels in the region. It convenes Indian and international exhibitors and buyers to forge new partnerships and strengthen business ties.
TAT has one of the largest stands at the exhibition where about 70 sellers from Thailand including representatives of hotels, airlines, DMCs, theme parks, etc, will get an opportunity to network and showcase their products to travel agents and tour operators, who will be attending the exhibition from all over India.
