Moving ahead with an aim to promote quality tourism, Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) launched its new marketing concept ‘Open to the New Shades of Amazing Thailand’ at a launch event held at Hotel JW Marriott Aerocity, New Delhi on February 22, 2018. Yuthasak Supasorn, governor, TAT-Thailand, along with Thai tourism team headed the event.
Shedding light on TAT’s ‘Open to the new Shades of Amazing Thailand’ concept, Tanes Petsuwan, deputy governor for marketing communication, TAT said, “This concept is about allowing the visitors to open themselves to each and every experience and explore diverse options of tourist attractions in Thailand. This communication campaign will introduce new products to visitors, and highlight the charm of well-known destinations through creativity and engagement activities. Attracting first-time visitors and increase the frequency of visits of routine tourist will be our main aim. Visiting tourists will have options of exploring new perspectives in existing attractions or to indulge and discover new tourist attractions.”
Tanes also enumerated broad categories of tourism products that Indian tourists will get to enjoy in the categories of gastronomy, nature and beaches, art and craft, and Thai culture and way of life. A bit of Thailand was at display at the function. In the vivid stalls that were set up at the venue, one could see Thailand’s rich art, food, and travel and hospitality culture. Live music performance by special guests, Koh Saxman, famous saxophonist from Thailand performing with the Indian musicians including Dhruv Bed (sitarist) and Manassas Jena, (tablaist) along with demonstration of Thai culture such as the coloring of a Khon Mask, painting Thai pattern on the hand, fruit & vegetable carving and stage performances (Muay Thai and Thai Classical Dance) were some of the major attractions at the event.
Targeting specific segments of customers such as luxury travellers, weddings and honeymooners, female travellers and families, university students and newly working women, TAT seeks to convert this concept into profitable emoluments. TAT offices in Mumbai and New Delhi are working with partners and tour operators towards the same. Supasorn elaborated that they are also targeting a new wave of visitors from secondary cities in India. Given its phenomenal population, India is seen as potent major source of visitors for Thailand in the ensuing years.
While briefing the media persons before the event Supasorn laid a special emphasis on how India is emerging as a major source of tourists for the country. He said, “India is now one of our top ten sources of visitor arrivals, a member of a small club of countries that generate more than one million visitors a year.”
Citing tourist arrival data he explained, “In 2017, Thailand recorded 1.41 million visitor arrivals from India, up by 18 percent over 2016, generating an estimated 120 billion Rupees (62.40 billion baht) in tourism income. We are targeting a revenue growth of 12 percent for Indian market in 2018.”
Indian tourists are now exploring more places and are not limited to a fixed spots like earlier. He futher commented,“More and more Indian travellers are diversifying beyond their traditional spots of Bangkok and Pattaya, and exploring Chiang Rai, Rayong, Trat, Hua Hin and Samut Songkram”. According to his speculations, in 2018, bilateral business and MICE travel is expected to increase as India’s economy grows and new airlines launch more bilateral flights. The completion of the Asian Highway road linkage through Myanmar will allow a whole new generation of travellers to open up new corridors of travel between South and Southeast Asia.”
On being asked about facilities for India tourists he explained that Indians can receive visa-on-arrival facilities at Thailand’s international checkpoints. Bilateral airline capacity is at an all-time high with 240 weekly flights between Thailand and 17 major cities in India by 11 airlines: Thai Airways, Bangkok Airways, Air India, Jet Airways, Indigo Airlines, Spice Jet, Thai Air Asia, Bhutan Airlines, Druk Air, Garuda Indonesia and Thai Smile. The event concluded with Yuthasak presenting awards to supporting partners, consisting of travel agents, airlines, media, and wedding planners.
By Shivasheesh Srivastava