Tourism Breaking News
On opening day of Arabian Travel Market Governor of Tourism Authority of Thailand Thapanee Kiatphaibool shared that 2023 witnessed an increase of 28% travellers from the GCC region. Speaking with TravelTV Middle East she reiterated, “In 2023, we welcomed approximately 868,000 visitors from the Middle East, a notable 28% increased from previous years. For 2024, we are projecting that this number will rise to over a million, as we continue to strengthen our marketing efforts and enhance the travel experience tailored to Middle Eastern tourists.”
“The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) is actively engaging with the Middle Eastern market through strategic partnerships, tailored promotional campaigns, and participation in regional travel exhibitions, including this ATM event. We are focused on cultural exchange programs and have initiated marketing efforts that highlight Thailand’s diverse attractions, specifically catering to Middle Eastern travel preferences, such as halal tourism initiatives.
This year, TAT has launched our new communication concept, ‘Amazing Thailand: Your Stories Never End.’ This concept underscores our commitment to creating unforgettable experiences for every traveler visiting Thailand. Our goal is to instill lasting memories and meaningful journeys that inspire visitors to become storytellers, sharing their unique tales of Thailand with the world. To engage Middle Eastern travelers in crafting their never-ending stories in Thailand, we will leverage Thailand’s ‘5F Soft Powers’—Food, Film, Festival, Fight, and Fashion. These elements will add value to our tourism products and services and offer meaningful experiences to Arab travelers.”
“We have observed significant interest in health and wellness tourism from Middle Eastern tourists. With over 300 international standard hospitals and clinics, many equipped with Arabic interpreters, highly trained nurses, and doctors, Thailand offers advanced medical technology, reasonable costs, and excellent hospitality. For post-treatment recovery, patients and their families can enjoy a relaxing holiday in Thailand at affordable prices. Alongside this, there is a steady demand for luxury and family-oriented experiences. Capitalizing on these trends, TAT is enhancing our offerings in health and wellness packages, family-friendly activities, and exclusive luxury experiences to meet the high standards expected by travelers from the region.
Additionally, families can find plenty of options to suit their interests across the country, with attractions in Chiang Mai, Pattaya, Koh Samui, and Phuket. Notable attractions include the recently opened Columbia Pictures Aquaverse Water Park in Pattaya and the Andamanda Water Park and Carnival Magic Show in Phuket, which have been major draws for family travelers.”
“Yes, TAT has launched several targeted promotional campaigns in collaboration with key Middle Eastern airlines, travel agencies ad OTAs such as Emirates, Qatar Airways, Dnata Travel Group and WEGO travel booking platform. These partnerships focus on creating exclusive travel packages and promotional fares, which are extensively marketed through digital platforms and traditional media within the region.” “As of now, 14 airlines from the Middle East region flying to Thailand with 218 flights/week and 64,000 seats/week. TAT is in discussions with multiple airlines to increase the frequency of direct flights from major cities in the Middle East to Thailand. We are also exploring new direct routes such as Dubai – Chiang Mai / Doha – Chiang Mai / Cairo – Bangkok to ensure easier and faster travel for tourists, which will support our goal of boosting tourism numbers.”
