Thailand sweeps the boards in influential Ctrip awards
Bangkok, 22 February, 2017 – Five Thai destinations – Krabi, Ko Samui, Bangkok, Chiang Mai and Phuket – have swept the boards in the influential Ctrip Best Tourist Destination of the Year Awards 2016 which were voted for by more than seven million Chinese travellers, making it the largest travel poll in the People’s Republic of China.
Mr. Yuthasak Supasorn, Governor of the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) said, “China is Thailand’s biggest tourism market and the Ctrip awards show that the kingdom appeals to all sorts of Chinese tourists, young and old from students to honeymooners and shopping lovers.
“We are pleased that Thailand can offer so much and that Chinese tourists want to come back time after time to enjoy our unique Thai experiences and destinations. We look forward to seeing even more visitors from China in 2017.”
Ctrip.com, China’s largest and most influential online travel agent, has held its annual Best Tourist Destination of the Year Awards online voting campaign since 2009, encouraging Chinese travellers to vote for their favorite destinations through its website and via social media and SMS. In this year’s campaign, more than seven million Chinese travellers cast their votes making it the largest ever online voting campaign in China’s travel industry.
The winners of ‘Ctrip Best Tourist Destination of the Year Awards 2016” were announced at the award ceremony in Shanghai on 21 February, 2017, which was attended by more than 500 leading Chinese celebrities and influential people in the tourism industry.
Mr. Chuwit Sirivajjakul, Director TAT Shanghai Office, also attended the event to receive the awards for the five Thai destinations, which were voted among the Top 10 Best Destination in several categories as follows:
Krabi was voted among the Top 10 Best Overseas Potential Destination, while Chiang Mai was voted among the Top 10 Best Honeymoon Destination and the Top 10 Best FIT Destination.
Phuket was named among the Top 10 Best Island Destination, while Bangkok was voted among the Top 10 Best Destination for College Students.
In the Best Overseas Short Haul Travel Destination category, Phuket was voted the No. 1 Destination while Bangkok was voted in the 3rd place.
Ko Samui was voted among the Top Ten Best Luxury Destinations, making it the first time a Thai destination has been voted into this category.
Mr. Yuthasak said, “This shows that our strategy to promote luxury tourism is working with well-off Chinese travellers recognising that Thailand offers high-class experiences and unparalleled destinations. I hope these awards will cement Thailand’s reputation as a quality holiday destination and that we can offer even more amazing levels of luxury to affluent guests.”
TAT has five offices in the People’s Republic of China in Beijing, Shanghai, Chengdu, Kunming, and Guangzhou, which are tasked to promote and market Thailand to Chinese tourists and travellers. The target for 2017 is to attract at least 9 million visitors from the China and generate some 570 billion Baht for the Thai economy.
Above images: Some of the winners at the Ctrip Best Tourist Destination of the Year Awards 2016 presentation ceremony.
