The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) is seeking to attract more visitors from India through a new campaign, with airlines offering special promotions and privileges to passengers.
The TAT launched the campaign in cooperation with Thai Airways and Thai Smile Airways to exchange information and further enhance the nation’s tourism sector.
Napintorn Srisunpang, vice minister for the Ministry of Tourism and Sports, said the airlines now anticipate at least 13,000 passengers traveling from India onboard Thai Airways and Thai Smile flights this month.
The Ministry of Tourism and Sports recently launched the Visit Thailand Year 2000 campaign, which also targets tourists from India.
In addition, the ministry is working with tour agencies in India to provide information about the latest travel requirements and proactively participate in tourism fairs in India, including the South Asia Travel and Tourism Exchange (SATTE) 2022 event in New Delhi during May 18-21.
To further promote Thailand as a wedding destination, the ministry will also be holding the Amazing Thailand Wedding EXPO 2022, targeting couples from India who plan to hold their wedding ceremonies abroad.
Mr. Tanes Petsuwan, TAT Deputy Governor for International Marketing – Asia and South Pacific explained ongoing marketing activities in the Indian market through the TAT New Delhi and Mumbai Offices included working closely with the local travel and tourism industry on updating travel advisors and operators on existing and new tourism offerings in Thailand, as well as the safety measures and relaxed entry requirements in place, offering joint promotions and special privileges in conjunction with the THAI and THAI Smile flights, offering joint promotions aimed at the luxury market, and the holding together with airlines of networking sessions in key cities to further promote Thailand’s tourism appeal.
TAT will also head-up Thailand’s presence at India’s largest tourism promotion event – South Asia Travel and Tourism Exchange (SATTE) 2022 – scheduled for 18-20 May in New Delhi.
As efforts by TAT and others to rebuild the Indian market grow, based on the load factor of the current flights operated by THAI and THAI Smile between Thailand and India, it is expected at least 13,000 Indian tourists will visit Thailand per month. This estimate does not include Indian tourists using other airlines.
Tourism Authority of Thailand
In 2019, a total of 1,995,516 Indians travelled to Thailand generating tourism income of 86,372.01 million Baht. In term of arrivals, this represented a growth of 24.85%, and in income a growth of 27.45%.
THAI is also planning to expand the summer 2022 network with 34 additional routes covering cities in Asia, Australia and Europe, and is also considering increasing the frequency of existing flights in response to the anticipated growth in demand. Passengers on THAI’s international routes will be able to connect domestically within Thailand using THAI Smile’s services.