Mumbai, 24 February 2015 – The new national tourism promotion campaign “2015 Discover Thainess” is to be further advanced in India with the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT)’s participation in the “Thailand Trade Investment Tourism Road Show between 24-27 February, 2015, in Mumbai and Delhi.
Organised by the Thai Ministry of Commerce, in collaboration with the Royal Thai Consulate-General in Mumbai, the roadshow is aimed to promote Thai trade, tourism and investment and create new business opportunities for Thai and Indian entrepreneurs. The Thai delegation is to be led by H.E. Kobkarn Wattanavrangkul, Minister of Tourism and Sports.
On this occasion, the “2015 Discover Thainess” campaign will emphasise the priceless treasures of Thailand, which give Thainess its charm, as reflected in the society and the people. The marketing messages will highlight the concept of Creative Tourism under which tourists can experience the Thai way of life, Thai culture and hands-on Thai activities; such as, Thai boxing, Thai massage, Thai cooking, and Thai classical dance. The “Thainess” lifestyle is reflected in all indigenously-designed handmade products and facilities.
As part of the “2015 Discover Thainess” campaign, TAT is recommending 12 hidden gems – emerging new provincial destinations that Indian visitors should not miss, especially repeat travellers. All these places are renowned for their unique history, culture and lifestyle.
In addition, TAT has also allocated specific “Happiness” activity themes for each month of 2015; such as, the Muay Thai Festival in March, Songkran Festival in April, Shopping Parade in June, International Food Festival in September and Loi Krathong Festival in November.
For further information about the “2015 Discover Thainess” campaign, please check out: http://discoverthainess.tourismthailand.org
India is today the biggest source market for visitors from South Asia and one of Thailand’s fastest growing source markets. In 2014, Thailand welcomed a total of 946,269 Indian visitors, a slight drop from 2013. However, this year, this is expected to bounce back and Thailand will welcome 1.05 million arrivals from India. This will again make India be one of six countries which generate more than one million annual visitor arrivals for the country once again, after China, Malaysia, Russia, Japan and Korea.
Indian visitors know Thailand as a hospitable and a year-round tourism destination with a high quality of value-for-money products and services. Also Indians get visa-on-arrival facilities at Thailand’s international checkpoints, and there is no shortage of airline capacity with 140 weekly flights with more than 30,000 seats by Thai Airways, Air India, Jet Airways, Bangkok Airways, Indigo Airlines, Spice Jet, Druk Air, and Tashi Air (Bhutan Airline) (as of 8 February 2015).
Indian leisure travellers generally go shopping and sightseeing in Bangkok and Pattaya with an increasing number also heading to Phuket, Chiang Mai, Samui, Chiang Rai, Krabi, Ayutthaya and Ko Chang. Recent years have also shown a marked rise in the number of Indian film-makers, MICE delegates, wedding parties and honeymooners.
Mr. Thawatchai Arunyik, TAT Governor said, “We are working with prominent Indian personalities; such as, boxer Mary Kom and golfer Gaganjeet Bhullar to increase brand awareness in the Indian market. Both have visited Thailand. Mary Kom has visited many of the Muay Thai boxing stadiums while Gaganjeet Bhullar has played at some of our golf courses. We are also maintaining a solid presence at many travel trade shows throughout the country.
“During our last Thailand Travel Mart+ annual trade show held in June 2014, Indians were one of the largest contingents of buyers. We are determined to ensure that Indian travel agents and tour operators are familiar with our products and services. This is essential to ensuring a steady of flow of both first time and repeat visitors. We are also penetrating our marketing efforts into secondary Indian cities; such as, Ahmedabad, Pune and Bangalore.”
“New products such as the opening of the Amazone Cartoon Network theme park in Bang Saray, just a little south of Pattaya, will also help us expand the family market and grow the average length of stay” the TAT Governor added.
He said that in addition to the strong leisure traffic, Thailand is also expecting a strong influx of business travellers and MICE delegates in the wake of the free-trade agreements signed between India and both Thailand and ASEAN.
In 2014, Thailand won eight Indian tourism awards; such as, Best Wedding Destination, Best Destination, Best International Tourism Board, Best Spa Destination and Best Value Destination.
Contact Information
International Public Relations Division
Tourism Authority of Thailand
Tel: +66 (0) 2250 5500 ext. 4545-48
Fax: +66 (0) 2253 7419
E-mail: [email protected]
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