Bangkok, 5 April 2019 – The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) is hosting 64 travel agents from the ASEAN, South Asia and South Pacific regions to an “Experience New Variety and Family Fun in Amazing Thailand 2019 – Explore North to South” familiarisation trip. Taking place from 4 to 7 April, the trip is designed to showcase the best of Thailand’s emerging tourist destinations.
Mr. Chattan Kunjara Na Ayudhaya, TAT Deputy Governor for International Marketing, Asia and South Pacific, said: “TAT positions Thailand as a preferred destination, with one of the key focuses being sustainable tourism. At the same time, we want to stimulate the economy of the rural areas by promoting 55 emerging destinations. This ‘Experience New Variety and Family Fun in Amazing Thailand 2019’ fam trip is among a host of activities that we will roll out to promote Thailand’s new potential products.”
Ten provinces that TAT believes tourists from ASEAN, South Asia and South Pacific regions will find well worth experiencing, and have potential to welcome visitors are Chiang Rai, Mae Hong Son, Sukhothai, Buri Ram, Udon Thani, Trat, Chanthaburi, Samut Songkhram, Ranong and Satun.
For this fam trip, TAT is taking participants, hailing from Australia, Brunei, India, Indonesia, Malaysia, New Zealand, Singapore and Vietnam, on tailor-made itineraries to selected destinations in Hat Yai, Satun, Chiang Rai, Trat, Chanthaburi, Phitsanulok and Sukhothai.
Mr. Klissada Ratanapruk, Executive Director, TAT’s ASEAN, South Asia and South Pacific Region Department, said: “The key point of promoting the emerging destinations is to have them serve as connecting points to other places, including the neighbouring countries, with smooth and seamless connectivity via the well-known tourist cities.
“This is the first time such fam trip is being held. It has been carefully designed and curated to feature some of the best emerging destinations, products, services and facilities. Participants will enjoy tasting local food, and experiencing local community activities,” Mr. Klissada added.
The trip started with a welcome reception and a “Minimart” for the visiting travel agents and tour operators to network and talk business with 40 local tourism entrepreneurs, including DMCs, hotels and tourist attractions from 18 emerging destinations.
ASEAN countries are Thailand’s largest source markets in Asia. Thailand welcomed 10.28 million ASEAN visitors, generating an estimated 332 billion Baht in tourism revenue. Malaysia is the largest market with total arrivals of 4.09 million arrivals, followed by Lao PDR. (1.75 million), Singapore (1.06 million) and Vietnam (1.02 million).
Meanwhile, Arrivals from South Asia grew by a strong 11.82% to 1.98 million. India topped the list with arrivals up by 12.83% to 1.59 million.
