The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) has outlined the latest marketing strategy in response to the approval that has been given to an ‘air travel bubble’ arrangement with India, which is considered a major step forward in the planned recovery of what is one of Thailand’s important visitor source markets.
Mr. Tanes Petsuwan, TAT Deputy Governor for International Marketing – Asia and the South Pacific, said, “Thailand was a very popular destination for Indian travellers before the COVID-19 pandemic, and there is every indication this appeal will continue. Significantly, the proposed Thai-Indian Air Travel Bubble arrangement will help enhance the image of Thailand as the preferred destination for Indians wanting to travel abroad.”
Thailand’s Centre for COVID-19 Situation Administration (CCSA) has green lighted the proposed ‘Thai-Indian Air Travel Bubble’ arrangement, a decision which now awaits Cabinet approval. Once this is given, the Civil Aviation Authority of Thailand (CAAT) will proceed with the plan through collaborations with the Indian authorities and airlines.
Mr. Tanes added, “With the TEST and GO entry scheme having been resumed from 1 February, 2022, under which fully vaccinated travellers from any country can apply for a Thailand Pass, while the COVID-19 situation in India is vastly improving resulting in relaxed restrictions for international arrivals including returning Indians, TAT will actively target high quality Indian tourists to return to Thailand.”
In line with the ‘Visit Thailand Year 2022: Amazing New Chapters’ marketing campaign, TAT is focusing on further building the Indian market with a particular emphasis on special interest groups with high spending; such as, weddings and honeymoons, golf, millennials, and digital nomads. Among the activities include familiarization trips and business events.
A fam trip for Indian travel agents and media is in Thailand from 15-22 February, 2022, to gain first-hand experience on tourism products and services on the Bangkok-Chiang Mai and Bangkok-Ko Samui travel routes, as well as discuss business with local suppliers in a trade meet event.
A dedicated familiarization trip and wedding symposium for Indian wedding planners is set to take place in March 2022.
TAT will also head up the Thailand presence at India’s largest tourism promotion event – South Asia Travel and Tourism Exchange (SATTE) 2022 – scheduled for 18-21 April, in New Delhi. It will also arrange a product presentation event to provide travel agents from key cities in the South and West of India – Ahmedabad, Bengaluru, Chennai, Hyderabad, Koshi, and Mumbai – with an update on Thailand’s entry schemes and ‘Amazing New Chapters’ travel offers.
Following the materialization of the ‘Thai-Indian Air Travel Bubble’ arrangement and the reopening of commercial flights between the two countries, TAT will join hands with airlines to co-organize networking sessions in key cities in the North of India, including New Delhi and Kolkata to further promote Thailand’s latest tourism products and services.
This latest marketing strategy follows TAT’s ongoing efforts to maintain Thailand’s positioning as a top destination for Indian travellers. Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, TAT’s offices in Mumbai and New Delhi continued to work in close cooperation with the Indian travel and tourism industry through ongoing marketing activities that included a ‘Thailand Travel Update’ webinar and the launch of the ‘Thailand Specialist Programme’ industry-focused online training course for travel advisors and operators to update themselves on existing and new attractions and offerings in Thailand.
The website www.tourismthailand.in has been updated. More Thailand’s tourism-related content has been published via an online platform specially targeting millennials. Last but not least, TAT recently launched the ‘Miss You’ campaign with images inviting Indian travellers to experience Thailand’s ‘Amazing New Chapters’.
TAT’s proactive marketing efforts in India has resulted in Thailand winning the ‘Best Honeymoon Destination’ for the second year running at the 10th Anniversary Edition of the Travel + Leisure India’s Best Awards 2021. In August 2021, Thailand was also rated one of the best golfing destinations by an overwhelming 97% of respondents in a nationwide survey of golfers in India. Meanwhile, a Thomas Cook survey conducted in June 2021 identified Thailand as a top three destination for Indians wanting to travel abroad. (TAT)
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