Tourism Authority of Thailand Targets Short Haul Markets

With no indication of Chinese tourists coming to the country, the Tourism Authority of Thailand is looking to its neighbors. The TAT intends to attract 1.5 million travelers from Australia, Southeast Asia, and South Asia.  According to Thanet Phetsuwan, if travel restrictions in Southeast Asia are lifted, Thailand should be able to welcome around 800,000 tourists from Cambodia, Malaysia, Singapore, and Vietnam.

“We are within reach to achieve 1.5 million visitors from short-haul markets, but we target at least 5 million arrivals from the total target of 10 million this year. The aim, however, will be amended in the second half as we follow developments in East Asia.”

Thai Vietjet and TAT signed a letter of intent valid for 1 year yesterday to cover the demand in Southeast Asia, especially in Vietnam and Cambodia. Woranate Laprabang, Director of Thai Vietjet, thinks that easing travel restrictions, decreasing new Covid cases, and engaging marketing efforts would be the key in attracting international tourists.

Thai Vietjet currently operates 6 flights between Bangkok and Ho Chi Minh weekly. The airline will resume its services between Bangkok and Da Nang, Central Vietnam on March 27 with 3 flights weekly. Bangkok-Phnom Penh flights will start on March 16.

Thanet said the TAT plans to expand its connections with regional airlines, including Thai AirAsia which started international flights to Malaysia, Singapore, and Vietnam earlier this month and currently operates between Thailand and Cambodia.

Thailand recently approved the travel bubble agreement with India and 12 flights from both countries will start operations this month. Indian travel agencies launched marketing and sales to promote Thailand and the agency anticipates 500,000 Indian tourists this year.

Thanet is also keeping an eye on Australia, where both Thai Airways and Qantas have resumed flights to a number of destinations. He added that Thailand might get about 200,000 tourists over the Easter holiday.

Source: Bangkok Post

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